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Part 2 Karis and Severus had immediately apparated into the village of Hogsmede. Hogwarts was only a two mile walk. But it was still two miles too far, and Karis took off, running head-long in the direction of the school with immense speed. Severus tried to keep up, but he isn’t as young as he used to be and found it to be rather testing. He stopped after half a mile, bent over, doubled up trying to catch his breath, as her small figure continued to disappear from his view, into the bitter cold darkness of this February night wind. After a few minutes, Severus stood up right once more, and was startled to see a group of robed witches and wizards running towards him. “SEVERUS, WHERE IS KARIS?” bellowed a frantic Bill Weasley, as he started to slow down to a jog, approaching the potions professor. “She ran off towards the school, I lost her.” He replied, his face expressing a solemn scowl, and in that moment he felt like a failure. “I should have taken some pepper up potion before we left! But I didn’t know it would come to this.” He spat coldly, feeling angry with himself. “We must go, we don’t have much time!” interrupted Remus Lupin. “We don’t have any bloody time!” bellowed Arthur Weasley, as he approached them, panting heavily, his face red, his eyes bloodshot and watery. “My kids are in there! How did it come to this?” he asked angrily, his hands clenched, as his body had started to shake with vast emotion. “Dad, come on.” said Bill calmly, while putting his hand on his Father’s shoulder. But Arthur knocked it off with angered force. “Don’t what Bill?” he shot. “Ron, Ginny and Harry are in that school, if anything happens to them, I swear…. I…” he broke off, as tears started to trickle down his face. Bill stared at him, feeling his own chest tighten, he turned his head away. He felt guilty, because for a few moments, all he could think about was Karis, when his younger Brother and Sister were in immediate danger, and that was certain, especially while they were in the company of one, Harry Potter. “Flaming phoenix, what was that?” asked Emmeline Vance. As everyone abruptly stopped in their step as a very loud growl could be heard coming from the direction of the school. But before anyone could answer, Severus started to run again and Bill, Remus, Arthur and Kingsley followed immediately. Arthur was finding it hard to see in front of him, so he held his wand up and shouted “Lumos.” His wand came alight with a white-orbed beam, giving him luminosity in this moment of total darkness. Karis was first to arrive at the large iron gates that stood, locked, outside the main entrance of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. “Bombarda.” she yelled, but the gates didn’t even wobble with her destructive intrusion. Instead, a large gargoyle jumped down and pushed her away. “Please, you must let me in, Voldemort is in there, he’s penetrated the walls with a portkey!” she yelled. The gargoyle’s iron expression that was only seconds ago furious, changed to one of horrific shock. “I am Karis Dumbledore. Now I order you to let me in!” she bellowed to the fat iron gargoyle that was now just gaping at her. Thankfully, he took a bow and magically opened the gates with a wave of his hand. As she entered, all seemed rather quiet except for a large thud in the close distance. She didn’t know what it was, so she continued to run up the main pathway towards the school entrance. Her breath was heavy, her stomach cramped up in pain from the excessive exercise, but still she continued. All she could think of was getting to Harry, because right now – to her, nothing else mattered, not even herself. |
Luna held on to Harry’s arm, her fingers digging into his flesh as he stood there, his wand poised, his breath deep and uncontrolled. She was shaking, for she had never been in the direct presence of Lord Voldemort before, and the idea alone now terrified her. Looking down at a good friend, who’s entire being had been overtaken by this beast, with the piercing red eyes that glared back at them all now. A satisfied expression gliding across the young boy’s unrecognisable face, lingering heavy as if carved in stone. Harry finally spoke. “I want everyone to leave, go back to your dormitories, and stay there.” He said quietly, not taking his eyes off of Neville, who’s presence seemed to be lost, and instead, had been overtaken by an overshadowing dread. “No Harry!” said Luna with urgency. Still squeezing onto his upper arm, and Harry noticed her shaking. “Look!” he bellowed, pointing to Neville. “He could die tonight, and that will be bad enough – I’m not losing you too!” his eyes no longer sparkled an emerald gleam, and neither did it have the same warmth that she knew his eyes to have. He was scared, but he was also determined. He wanted to do this alone. “WE ARE NOT LEAVING YOU HARRY!” yelled Ron, whom was still standing beside his best friend, not moving an inch, his wand also held directly towards Neville, who was still lying on the ground. Neville started to move. And Harry, Ron, Hermione and Luna took a step back Suddenly, he jolted in an upright-seated position and his head rolled slowly to the side, as if on its own accord. Suddenly the burning red eyes looked up to the congregated members of Dumbledore’s Army. “Interesting,” came a harsh, deep voice, directly from Neville’s mouth. A voice that did not belong to their friend. Ginny jumped out of her skin and yelped, and Seamus grabbed hold of her and held her tight into him, she hid her petrified face on his shoulder. He felt her quiver, and he embraced her tighter. “What is?” spat Harry, trying to ignore the fact that his scar was now burning with such force, it was making his eyes water. But he couldn’t show weakness – not now! “It is interesting Potter, that Neville here, and his small, rather insignificant mind has let me see something quite beneficial to my plan.” Harry sighed and his heart filled with heavy lead – he didn’t want Voldemort to know about their training together as Dumbledore’s Army. And as much as Harry was ashamed to admit it, he was highly thankful now that only Ron, Hermione and Albus Dumbledore were the only one’s beside himself that knew the full contents of the prophecy. “What is that, exactly?” shot Hermione. Everyone turned to look at her. Ron gulped and whispered “Hermione, shut up.” Neville’s expression changed, it turned into a startling scowl and all at once Neville was thrown backwards onto the floor, his body went limp and his eyes closed, as a small murmur that sounded like one of pain, escaped from Neville’s chest. Hermione went to run forward, but Ron pulled her back. “Everyone, GO, NOW!” yelled Harry. “NO!” bellowed Hermione, we can’t split up and leave Neville – we are united, while we are united we have the power of three – we cannot move Harry!” Harry’s mind started racing – ‘of course, she’s right.’ “OK, uh – don’t move.” He said, uncertainly. It unnerved them all, due to Harry not knowing what to do – their leader was as frightened and confused as they were – it certainly wasn’t helping the situation. “Where is he?” whimpered Ginny. “He’s gone!” whispered Seamus, reassuringly. “No he isn’t.” gasped Harry. As he clutched his scar once more with his hand, doubling over in pain, he couldn’t hold it in anymore, the pain was so intense, that he had to let out a groan. “Ha-rry!” sobbed Luna. As she tried to hold him up, to stop him collapsing from underneath her death grip. “Harry be strong.” she said, trying to offer him encouragement. “How dare you question me, Mudblood!” came the voice again. Luna was too preoccupied with Harry to see what else was going on. But she heard Ron yell “NOOOOOO” and Harry quickly came to his senses, fighting the pain. With blurred vision, he could make out a dark figure close by, aiming his wand at the neck of, Hermione Granger. |
This was the moment that Harry had dreaded since the age of eleven, when he found out the truth about himself and Lord Voldemort, and the moment that he, Ron and Hermione had become the very best of friends. Harry didn’t even think – why would he? The young lady that he loved as a sister was in mortal danger, any second now she could be dead – He couldn’t let that happen, he won’t let that happen! “You can take me!” said Harry quietly, as he looked up and glared the evil snake-like figure in the eye. Voldemort, at first, seemed to be very taken aback. He didn’t even manage a smirk as he looked at the boy who had been his downfall, standing there, finally relenting unto him. “HARRY, NO!” cried Hermione. “I’m not giving you a choice, Hermione.” replied Harry, sullenly. Ron just stared at his friend; he didn’t know what to do. Voldemort was about to kill the woman he loved, but Harry was going to hand himself over, in order to spare her. He couldn’t let that happen. Because it meant that either way - they were going to lose. Ron, who still held his wand, behind his back gripped onto it tightly. ‘What spell, what spell’ he kept thinking in his mind. His body started to shake with rage, as he watched Voldemort’s scaly face, and thin mouth move closer towards Hermione’s face – inspecting her. She screwed her eyes tightly shut; but she could feel his putrid breath lingering across her face, and her body started to quiver under his authoritative grip. The fear that Ron was feeling was subsiding into anger beyond control. From behind his back he could feel his wand start to vibrate, but it couldn’t be? He hadn’t thought of a spell yet, he didn’t know what spell to use. Harry turned around as he could feel something penetrate him, everyone else seemed to have felt something too as they turned to Ron. Even Hermione opened her eyes briefly. “MOVE!” Ron whispered with urgency, as he lifted his wand. Hermione’s eyes grew wide, as something told her to do as he said. She kicked out and managed to catch her assailant in the leg, but as she pulled back, she slipped down on to the floor. All at once, Voldemort looked up to see a bright figure closing in on him - fast. Little did Ronald Weasley know, the spell that had just protruded out of his wand, was a disarming spell that was mastered by Rowena Ravenclaw, and it was she who spoke to him in this moment of darkness. The prophecy that they had fulfilled as Dumbledore’s Army was now more apparent than ever, to stick together and be as one was the most powerful spell they had. Voldemort disappeared as the spell hit, crashing into the wall behind them, which gave a shuddering vibration to the school foundations. Ron ran over to Hermione and helped her up off the floor. “We must go Harry, we need to get out of here!” said Ron, frantically. Harry, and the rest of the DA were standing there, eyeing Ron in disbelief. “What did you do?” asked Harry. “Honestly Harry, I really don’t know.” “You feel Love for Hermione, it’s the one thing he despises!” replied Harry with a questioning frown. “I’m thinking that was a protective Love Spell.” “Whatever it was, it won’t work for long, Harry.” said Hermione, while giving her boyfriend a thankful smile, she then pulled him into a large embrace, before saying. “Thank you sweetheart – Now let’s get the hell out of here!” “What about Bellatrix and Neville?” asked Cho. Who had just seemed to appear from behind a large pillar. “We’ll take them with us. I’ll bind Bellatrix.” replied Hermione, while immediately following the all-important notion of ‘swish and flick’ muttering a binding spell, that she had witnessed Kingsley Shacklebolt perform, on that dark fateful evening at HollowValley. |
“EXPECTO PATRONUM” yelled Karis, as three Dementors came floating towards her with abundance, as she had now managed to reach the main entrance of the school. As her dolphin patronus shielded the soul sucking demons away from her, she let out a small smile at it’s beauty, as it had been a while since she summoned her, and revelled in her magnificence every time. Still running anxiously, Karis managed to reach the main doors, which she had thrown open with so much force, that she fell flying forward, and landed face down, spread eagled on the floor. “Damnit” she muttered under her violent heavy breathing that encased her now wheezing chest. She got up slowly, rubbing herself down when she heard a loud terrifying screech. Her stomach instantly knotted with dread, and she continued down the hall in what was now a speedy jog, but not a sprint, as she felt almost to the point of collapse. As Karis turned the corner, she ran head-on, straight into someone, knocking herself and the person she had run into, over. “Ow” grumbled Luna. “Nice to see you too Karis.” she mocked. “LUNA.” screeched Karis in relief; grabbing the girl into a tight embrace. She looked over Luna’s shoulder to see Neville Longbottom unconscious, floating in mid air, followed by an awake and snarling but tightly bound, Bellatrix Lestrange. “What… Bloody hell!…..how did you..?” stuttered Karis, completely dumbfounded. “Took your blimmin’ time woman didn’t you!” came a young but deepened voice from behind her, and one that she recognised well. All at once she turned, her eyes alight, her heavy heart lifting to the weight of a single feather. “Oh, Harry.” she cried. Her eyes had immediately exploded with streaming tears, and he pulled her into a soft warm hold, trying to calm her, in this rare moment of emotional weakness. “Harry, what happened, how did you capture Bella?” she asked eagerly after a minute of blubbering on his shoulder as her eyes grew wide, a small smile dancing on her quivering lips. “It was Neville who captured Bellatrix, he nearly strangled her half to death.” replied Harry. “Yeah, I don’t think she was expecting him to attack, muggle style!” piped up Seamus Finnigan “Shame he didn’t succeed though!” said Justin Finch-Fletchley “I’ll kill you all!” spat Bellatrix. “Mark my words, your time is numbered, you’re dead, all of you! DEAD!” “Oh, shut up you evil wench!” shot Luna, while pointing her wand to the mad witch, bellowing “petrificus totalis” “Where is her wand?” asked Karis, eyeing the stiff Bellatrix carefully. “I have it.” said Hermione, handing the wand over to Karis. “Well done, Hermione.” Karis replied, taking the wand from her grasp, and muttering quietly “Dragonerre’ et fiere’” “What was that?” asked Cho, looking impressed. “A fire-eating spell, it’s quite advanced, as it’s the only spell that can destroy another one’s wand. I was given the power to do so by the Order of Merlin. It doesn’t work for any witch or wizard, as you need to be given the authority. My Grandfather pulled a few strings of course!” she winked. “I’m so pleased you are unscaved, except for poor Neville here.” said Karis, immediately changing the subject. “Yeah, well we would all be dead if it wasn’t for Ron!” said Harry, eyeing his tall red haired friend with admired respect. “What?” asked Karis, in a little more astonishment than she anticipated! “Oh, it was nothing.” said Ron, with a wave of his hand, as if to brush it off as something highly insignificant. “Nothing?” You saved Hermione from death and me from capture. Don’t ever say what you did was Nothing, Ronald Weasley!” replied an adamant Harry. He then turned to Karis and continued. “Voldemort penetrated Neville’s body, I don’t know what he found out but he said it interested him greatly and was beneficial to his plan. Hermione questioned him, and he came back in true form and was about to kill her, when Ron hit him with a spell – I think it was a protective Love spell, considering it’s the one thing he despises. He quickly disappeared. But we don’t know where he went.” “Harry” said Luna, matter-of-factly. “You left out the part where you bargained with Voldemort, to take you instead of Hermione.” “Well, I didn’t want Karis to know that. Thanks honey!” he replied, rolling his eyes. “You did what?!” shot Karis. “He was trying to save my life, and I’m flattered Harry, but you are too important, you can’t do things like that!” interrupted Hermione, noticing Karis about to stumble on her next set of words. Karis smiled. “I’m pleased you are safe Hermione, but you are right.” She then looked Harry directly in the eye. “Don’t do that again, not for anyone!” she whispered. “Not even for you?” he asked sullenly. “Not even for me!” she replied, her eyes glassing over once more. Harry put his head down, to hide the emotional discontent that welled up into his throat. “DEAD, YOU’RE ALL DEAD!” screeched Bellatrix Lestrange once more, upon waking from her petrified and stiff stupor. “OH…. SHUT…. UP!” bellowed the DA all at once, with Karis joining in on the warranted chant. |
Part 3 The Order of the Phoenix along with a few Ministry members had managed to finally arrive at the main entrance gate of Hogwarts. Immediately upon their descent, the Gargoyle did not question any one of them as to why they were there, instead, his small beady eyes seemed to be clouded with a dark sadness, and all he could do was nod his head in understanding, and let them enter without difficulty. Severus looked up to see a large swirling mass of Dementors encircling their presence above the highest turrets and rooftops of the school. “There are too many.” said Professor Minerva McGonnagall, her voice that is normally so strong and collect, now childlike and echoing notes of fear. “We are going in!” demanded Severus Snape. “I am not leaving Karis in there, or the students of this school!” “We all agree with you, Severus, I’m not denying the fact we have to fight, but we are walking into a no-win situation. We are powerful wizards, and yet we are not equipped to handle this alone!” she replied, her voice now returning to its normal stern octave. Severus scowled, but his pose was short-lived as a loud crack came from behind them. They turned abruptly to see Albus Dumbledore standing still - eyes blazing, his expression contorted and his brow deeply lined. “Alas time has come to fulfil an important prophecy tonight, and we have allies.” All at once, another loud crack emanated from inside the school wall perimeter, even the gargoyle jumped around, confusion setting into his stone face. But that’s impossible, thought Bill Weasley, and he wasn’t alone in his thoughts. No-one could apparate inside the school grounds, or so they thought. Albus noticing the passing frowns of wonderment, said, “The Order of Merlin are here, and they really aren’t very happy.” As the Order and the ministry members entered the gate, they noticed ten long haired, and white bearded wizards gathered together, all wearing long blue cloaks with silver stars, which twinkled in the cold darkness, illuminating small silver and white beams. The site was ghastly as the beams of thankful light portrayed the scene, faintly, outside the school. At least one hundred Dementors had now congregated together, buoyant and afloat, whistling like wind as they flew, circulating the school that was now just visible as every light that flickered from each small window, had now extinguished into obscurity. Albus felt a shiver run down his spine as he witnessed the lights of his school diminish, followed by a muffled sound of child screams that reverberated out of the hard stonewalls into the thick cold air, exciting the dementors further. All that went through Arthur Weasley’s mind was his children and Harry, and he was somewhat thankful that he had ordered Molly to stay at the Ministry of Magic to await any news; the scene now would have undoubtedly caused her to act beyond any form of self-control. In other words, she probably would have had a heart-attack. Remus Lupin tucked his hands into his dishevelled robe pockets, in order to try and stop them from shaking violently. A beast lingered inside his breast, and yet that was nothing compared to the hurt and pain he was feeling right now. The love he feels for Harry, the unconditional love as any guardian should, was more powerful than any magic and any beast that roamed this earth. That was when Remus realised deep down that Harry was still alive, because if he wasn’t, Remus would somehow know, because he would feel it. I’ve lost them all, I can’t lose Harry too. Remus doesn’t remember what happened next, but he was running so fast, much faster than he anticipated he could run. His chest didn’t feel wheezy with the strain, and all he could think of was getting to Harry before the Dementors did, or Voldemort! The shouting that was coming from behind him was now muffled, and as he opened the main doors to the school, something hit him. It was cold, and everything he feared now clouded over his mind. He tried to grab for his wand but he couldn’t find it. The dark cold figure of a dementor lingered briefly over his body. He looked up, but the Dementor stopped in mid-air, turned around and quietly floated away. Confused for a few moments, he managed to scramble up from the floor, but as he did, he realised that Remus Lupin was not the form the Dementor had seen, instead he looked down at his body, to find it covered in hair. His fingers now claws, and he felt his face, to find that he now beared large teeth and a long snout. Remus had changed into his inner beast, but inside his mind he was still Remus Lupin, former defence against the dark arts teacher, former Marauder and replacement guardian (in his heart) of Harry Potter. It was then Remus realised, that after all these years, he finally accepted who he was. The beast he dreaded was not his prioritise concern anymore; it was the protection of a family member and the hatrid of an evil adversary that wanted him and everyone else who would not join him, destroyed. After all, Voldemort didn’t like Werewolves either. Finally, for the first time in his entire life, the beast let go of its preservation instinct and formidable control, and put it in the hands of its master – Remus J Lupin. |
I will post more tomorrow. |
The school suddenly exploded with petrified screams as the lights, without forewarning, diminished. Within the total darkness that now spread its weary presence, many of the younger student cries could be heard echoing throughout the school, making everyone feel anxious. “What’s going on?” asked Dean quietly, his voice breaking. “Stick together.” replied Karis in urgency. “Lumos.” she chanted, but her wand did not give out a comforting light, instead, it did nothing. “LUMOS.” she repeated loudly, shaking her wand, as if to make it work, which it didn’t. “Lumos.” said Harry, but to also no avail. “Why can’t we use magic?” asked Hermione. While squeezing Ron’s hand tightly, in the pitch-blackness, just for recognition to know he was still there. “I don’t believe it, this is not good!” replied Karis. Harry could sense the dismay in her tone, and knew exactly what her expression would be right now, even though he couldn’t see her. “They have cloaked the school. That’s very advanced magic, I knew Voldemort was good, but that’s just sorcery even beyond my control!” Ginny muffled a small cry, and Seamus managed to find her in the darkness again, and he held her as her body once more started to shake. “Get a grip Ginny!” shot Ron. He seemed agitated at her constant murmuring, and he couldn’t help but think that if she was not here, Neville would have finished the job on Bellatrix. “The thing that Neville showed him was obviously very beneficial, we can’t unite as one if we can’t do magic.” said Harry, clutching his now useless wand with repugnant rage. “He knows about the D.A. – There is no other explanation, he must have seen the prophecy you fulfilled in the Orb of Refinement!” replied Karis. “Oh, that’s just great!” shot Zacharias Smith, his tone marked with malice. “What are we going to do?” asked Pavati Patil, who until now had been very reserved, and just hid behind everyone else. “Yeah, we got to get out of here.” intervened Lavender Brown, obviously finding courage to raise an opinion, from her best friend. “I don’t bloody know, alright!” spat Harry. “You are all apart of the D.A. too, how the hell am I supposed to know about everything? Who do you think I am?” his body was shaking with anger, and he knew his knuckles must be white with the pressure that he was gripping his wand. “Harry’s right.” said Luna. “We can’t rely on one person to get us out of this alive, this is a war that everyone has to fight, individually or together, either way we could die, but I would rather die knowing I tried.” She then squeezed Harry’s arm in recognition, and he felt himself let out a small smile, before reverting back to his wand death-grip. HA HA HA HA, Came a loud screech of high-pitched laughter. “You are all so bloody naïve, do you really think, little girl, that you can defeat the Dark Lord?” HA HA HA HA. “Stupid, arrogant child. I hope he rips your heart out and feeds it to nagini.” HA HA HA HA HA “Charming aren’t you – such a lady!” replied Luna, sounding completely unfazed by the captured deatheater’s words. Harry smiled once more, he thought she was so incredibly brave; more so than he was feeling right now. “Can anyone here pull off the avada spell?” asked Harry. A few of the D.A. members chuckled, including Karis. “No, but I know a man who can.” she replied, her tone trying to sound one of mockery, but as soon as those words left her lips, she cursed herself, wishing she could take the foot that she had placed so fervently, out of her mouth. Bellatrix spat saliva onto the floor. “Snape is a dead man, he killed my Rodolphus, and he will pay – mark my words, he will pay!” she sneered Silence lingered in the air for a few moments, as Harry stomach did a back-flip, stunned, he simply asked, “What?” “Severus was protecting himself, it was self defence Bellatrix. You would have done the same!” interrupted Karis. “Severus killed Rudolphus Lestrange?” questioned Hermione, in deep surprise. “HE KILLED MY HUSBAND!” Bellowed Bellatrix, frantically, while throwing her body around in a desperate attempt to free herself from the binding spell that Hermione had performed earlier. She was screaming loud, at the top of her voice. If anyone hadn’t known her frame of mind, they may have thought she was being carved into small pieces, as the sound was deafening and terrifying. “Petrificus Totalis.” said Luna, instinctively, but nothing happened. The next thing that did happen however, took them all completely by surprise. Something in the darkness was charging at them, they could hear heavy panting and immediately, many of the D.A. was knocked down to the floor, but as Bellatrix continued to shriek, everyone else quickly scrambled to their feet. “RON.” panicked Hermione. “I’m here.” He replied, reaching out in the darkness to find her. She stumbled into him and he held her tightly, both their hearts pounding inside the walls of their chests. “We’ve got to get out of here.” she whispered as a single tear fell down her face. She was relieved Ron couldn’t see it, so instead of wiping it away, she let it fall neatly onto her robes. Suddenly, Bellatrix stopped screaming incoherently, and the sound of panting was ringing through the hall where they stood, residing in the pitch blackness of this cold night. Everyone stood still, unable to move, out of fear of this beast attacking. Time seemed to stop as they held their breaths. But within moments, Bellatrix started shouting again, but this time it was audible English. “GET IT OFF, GET IF OFF OF ME, HELP! GET IT OFF.” Mixed with faint sounds of thrashing. Once more Luna got thrown sideways as something swished with heavy pace past her legs. “WHAT’S GOING ON?” bellowed Dean Thomas, again. “I don’t know,” sobbed Cho, who was grasping tightly onto Dean’s arm. “I NEED MAGIC!” spat Harry. “How can I fight unarmed? We can’t even see!” he was shaking once more, but this time the anger was subsiding into one of worthlessness, right now, he felt useless, and to Harry, that was the worst feeling of all. Bella was being dragged across the floor, screeching and moaning audibly about the pain in her leg. “We must follow!” said Luna. “Whatever that thing is, it may show us the way out!” “Everyone grab hands, form a line.” ordered Hermione, showing that she agreed with Luna’s plan. They did as she asked, and suddenly, together, in total darkness, they followed the harsh panting of an unrecognisable beast, along with the undeniable pleas and sobs of Bellatrix Lestrange. |
Albus Dumbledore and the Order of Merlin had managed to thwart many Dementors who floated into their path – casting them aside without as much as a batter of an eyelid; like ragdolls. The Dementors started to creep their way back, fazed by their power. The Order looked on admiringly, as Snape and the rest of them joined in with the casting of patronuses. They managed to get close to the entrance, when Kingsley noticed something moving fast near the dark forest. He was about to issue another patronus when something hit him hard on the back of the head. Slowly, he fell, as if in slow motion, his body gave way as he lost consciousness and fell to the feet of Professor McGonnagall who was unaware that anything was behind them. As she turned around, her face expressed absolute fright, as a very large group of what looked like cloaked wizards came hurtling towards her. She managed to bind a few of them, upon their hearty descent, but it was of no use – she was hit hard, by no other than a gathered group of Vampires. Albus turned around just in time to see them roaming forward, ready for battle. Albus had an inclination that Voldemort would have approached their race – considering they still have to feed off of human blood, Voldemort would have been more than happy to let them devour every muggle born that stood in his way during this battle for reign. Immediately, the Order of Merlin, along with Albus Dumbledore and the rest of the Order of the Phoenix, stood together, side by side. They had no choice but to allow the students to cry for a little while longer out of fright, before they could lift the darkness curse and magical cloak to the school; simply because right now, if Vampire’s entered Hogwarts – there wouldn’t be any students left. * “Ouch, watch it!” groaned Seamus, as someone trod on his foot. “Sorry” whispered Cho. “It’s so dark.” she grumbled. “AHHHH,” came another loud scream from Bellatrix LeStrange who was still being dragged along the corridor, her bound body feeling every scrape, every bump of the cold hard ground. Harry was holding onto Karis’ and Luna’s hands, when the idea came to him. Padfoot? He thought. It was so dark, and he could hear a beast, a panting – “It’s a dog.” exclaimed Harry. His heart lifting; his stomach fluttering with nervous butterflies. “It might be a wolf.” said Ron. “I don’t care what it is.” said Luna. “As long as it doesn’t attack us. It seems to have good taste in who it victimises though – I give it credit for that!” Sirius is that you? Whispered Harry under his breath; concentrating hard as he closed his eyes. Trying to contact the beast via telepathy, even though it was highly useless and impossible, as it only worked on other Wizards. But he also knew deep down that what he was thinking was preposterous, but he guessed that more bazaar things have happened – like having a conversation with his dead Mother for instance! Before he could continue, shouting was heard coming from outside. “We’re close.” remarked Karis. “I can see a flicker of white light – Come on everyone.” she ordered, her pace quickening. As the large group edged forward, a beam of light momentarily lingered in front of them, lighting up the entrance door to the school. “There’s the door!” exclaimed Marietta Edgecombe, relief flooding her voice, as she made out the many forms of her friends, congregated together like blind mice scrambling to find it’s hole. A howl from what was unmistakably a wolf stopped them in mid-track. “Oh my god.” muttered Karis. “It’s a werewolf.” “It can’t be a werewolf, there is no full moon tonight.” replied Hermione. “I’m telling you, I saw the beast in the light, and it was a bloody werewolf, I’ve studied Defense Against the Dark Arts for a while now, and I know what one looks like.” retorted Karis, becoming restless with this beast in their presence, as it could not only kill them, but turn them into the fearsome being too. The wolf howled again. “Why is it not letting us go out the door?” asked Hermione. “It wants to eat us!” stuttered Lavender Brown. “It’s Remus, it has to be!” replied Ron. “Remus?” asked Harry, approaching forward in the dim light that was now portraying a dog like creature, bowed down in front of the entrance door. Dancing shadows of light emanating on the walls – highlighting pictures of witches and wizards whom seemed to be staring too in disbelief at the current proceedings. “Harry, don’t.” said Luna, pulling on his arm, fearing for his safety as he stepped closer to the creature. Suddenly, a loud commotion of shouting and screaming once more echoed from outside the school, and the Werewolf that was crouching in front of them, rose up on his two hind legs, and howled louder in warning – making the D.A. and Karis jump back a few paces. “The Order are in trouble, I must get through!” yelled Karis to the beast, as she approached forward, about to make a run for it. And yet he stood his ground, staring her in the eye, warning her of the danger that resided outside, and yet without words, without sound. That was when she noticed his recognisable glint, and her heart lifted to find that Remus Lupin had done the unthinkable – he had finally taken control of his inner beast. The inner madness as Sirius had once put it, many years ago when she was a child. It’s funny what you remember in such staid circumstances like this, she thought, as she smiled at the beast and her memory of Sirius Black. She smiled, in a way of thanks for protecting her, Harry and Dumbledore’s Army. She bowed her head in respect, and he bowed back. It was an astonishing sight in the glittering of beams, deriving from the over-worked wands that were now so obviously in battle against Voldemort and his followers, outside – against evil. As she lifted her head, she muttered a thank you. Slowly she moved forward and patted his head gently. Then whispered “You truly are remarkable Remus, but remember I am an Order member, like you – who has swore to protect, but I can’t do it from within these walls – you know what you must do.” Remus, in his werewolf form seemed to understand fully as his eyes searched her face once more – Karis could have sworn she noticed a tear about to escape from his left eye. Yet, he nodded and cast himself aside. As Karis muttered another “Thank you.” Harry bellowed a scream, as she exited the school. Not looking back once, knowing that if she did, she wouldn’t have had the courage to carry on. Remus was on guard now, she thought, reasoning with her own state of mind, he will watch other the students now and protect them. As she took the steps two at a time, Karis knew what she had to do – no more practice, this was for real! With her wand gripped tightly in the palm of her right hand, and with her head held high, she approached the off-shoot of beams that lit up the night sky, pushing the apprehension away that rose quickly in her chest, knowing that tonight was the night she would regroup with her Grandfather and fight for the ones they loved, and lost. And battle Voldemort in his quest to destroy their world – to fight in what was right, to fight for good – This was it, she thought, I’m twenty-two, and I’m fighting a war. |
Harry and the rest of Dumbledore’s Army had no idea what was happening outside, and it was driving Harry to distraction. “Remus, please – you must let us help them.” He begged the beast, whom still held his straight tall stature on his hind back legs, blocking the exit. “Harry, maybe this is for the best – at least with us all still together, we are safe.” said Ron, putting his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “It’s not right Ron, it’s not fair – it’s me he wants, not them.” He replied, trying desperately hard to keep his voice from breaking. “It’s not entirely about you, Harry.” said Hermione. “He wants to rule, to reign the wizarding world, mould it into his perfect muggle-free abomination. It’s always been about being the best, being a ruler!” “He’s an evil Snake!” spat Ginny, who had not whimpered in a short while, and seemed to have finally got her act together. “What did you say, Ginny?” asked Hermione, her eyes alight with the glittering illuminations of vast spell work that was still lighting up the inky backdrop of the night sky. “He’s an evil Snake!” she retorted again, the taunt making her feel better all at once. “What are you thinking, Hermione?” asked Luna, approaching her friend slowly. “I’m not sure if this will work, but I swear I recall something in potions about brewing a vanquishing potion for dangerous beasts, and I was just wondering if it would work on Voldemort, after all, he isn’t exactly human anymore, is he!” Luna’s face expressed severe concentration. “I’ve been doing a lot of extra homework for Professor Snape, and you have reminded me Hermione – There is a vanquishing potion that can kill beasts that raise a threat to a witch or wizard if the victim is unarmed. It killed a werewolf once, I read up on it in the restricted section. Remus let out a small whimper by the door. Luna chuckled. “Sorry Remus, we promise not to use it on you.” “I’m not going head to head with Voldemort unarmed! Are you crazy?!” interrupted Harry in disbelief. “It may be the only way, Harry.” replied Luna, regrettably. Harry started shuffling his feet, and Luna knew he was worried, maybe even scared, that was until he started to pace. “Our wands share the same feather, the priori incantatem will kick in if we dual, I can’t use the avada curse because I don’t have the power.” said Harry, more to himself yet his words came out clear as crystal for the whole group to hear. “A potion, it’s the only way Harry.” piped up Ron, “Think about it, Voldemort would have been so busy in arranging supporters for his war, to even think about you. The prophecy, he still has no idea of it’s full entirety, but I bet you he thinks it’s based on a spell, wand magic is his specialty, and yet when you defeated him at a year old, you never had a wand, Harry!” “But that’s because of the ancient magic, the self sacrifice protection that my Mother put on me.” “Yes, and he didn’t see it, did he Harry!” intervened Luna. “Ron is right – No wands, no priori incantatem to get in the way this time – We need to find a potion that will kill him, and we need to do it fast!” “I’ve got it!” said Hermione, jumping on tip-toes, “I’ve remembered, and you should have too Harry. You mocked Snape about it in class”, she said, her eyes alight but not now with the glimmer of spell work that continued to shift directions and light up the school grounds, but with a glimmer of hope. Harry, Ron and Hermione all looked to face each other in the dreary corridor, each making out their outlined silhouettes, and repeated simultaneously “PAGE FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE.” - As the cold chill hit Karis in the face, she bit her lip and gently raised her hood up over her head, as the wind whistled past her with ferocious speed, she felt it was almost like a warning; challenging her to stay back, to run away and hide until this blows over. But as much as the cold bite may have had a good point, she knew too that she could no longer run away and hide. Glaring at her from behind a large tree was something so formidable that at first Karis had to do a double take. As she did, the sight of the being became apparent, and all at once it shot out from behind the large oak and headed for her with alarming speed and a deadly passion. “Vampires” she muttered with inexplicable hate, at the black caped figure, his ice cold and grey bony hands outstretched, preparing to throttle her, and devour her with hunger. Karis grasped hold of her wand, and remained calm as she felt his cold dead corpse grab her fervently. She looked up to view her attacker, she wanted to see his face, look into his green and yellow eyes before she felt the satisfaction of killing him. “Going somewhere?” drawled the fiend, as his grip tightened on her arm. “Well, no not really. I just wanted to look you in the eye before I killed you.” she shot back, her voice cold with malice which was not quite the reaction he was expecting. He bared his pointed teeth at her, as his now cat like green eyes grew wider in surprise. All at once he let out a deep roar of laughter, throwing his head back, staring up at the half moon that lit up the current predicament they were both facing. Karis rolled her eyes. She never did have much time for vampires; she found them all to be rather shallow in their attitude and quite annoying. Without further thought, she quickly raised her wand, which automatically raised the monster within the beast, and he threw himself on top of her, pinning her down while giving her the look of triumph. “I’m going to enjoy this. He snarled “I’m going to enjoy feeling you gasp your last breath, fight me woman, beg, it will make you taste better.” He leaned towards her neck, as she struggled to push him off. She forgot how strong they were, and immediately realised what a stupid thing it was to do, taunting him like that. She could feel his cold presence linger forward towards her jugular. “Accio Wand” she whispered, and as her favourite companion levitated with ease, directly into her hand, the Vampire stopped to see that he was now the hunted, and as she yelled “Amber Solemn” he knew immediately that the game was over. Firstly, he felt the offshoot of the bright beam penetrate his torso as he was thrown back onto his knees, the element of shock that immediately clouded his expression, was now overtaken with one of pain, as he screamed violently. He brought his hands up level to his face, he watched them form a crust, and then slowly, watched them crumble to dust before his very eyes. He looked directly at Karis and as a tear protruded down his face, amazingly, she noticed warmth there and she stood, motionless, unaware that before a Vampire was to deteriorate completely, an element of freedom was profound. But before she could relate to the issue any longer, he was gone, nothing more than a small mound of grey dust, that shone fleetingly, in the moonlight. She let out a large breath as if to rid the occurrence from her mind. She looked at her wand, and whispered a sincere thank you to it. “Me and you holly, me and you.” she said with a smile, feeling more foolish than ever but somewhat relieved too, that within the school grounds she was powerful again. All she needed to do was find her Grandfather so he could exonerate the cloak that surrounded the school foundations, so Harry and the D.A. also stood a good solid chance of survival. |
“Minerva, are you alright?” asked Severus Snape, as he gave her his hand so as to help her up from the cold ground, worry apparent in his deep drawl. She gasped for breath, and as the cold winter air hit her lungs, she started to cough uncontrollably, which worried Severus even more. Minerva McGonnagall was a wise witch, and very powerful in her own right, but she was struggling with the force of the attack that was relayed upon them this evening, and he could tell she was giving up hope. “Get up, Minerva. Get up now!” he ordered in his usual stern manner, talking to her as if she was one of his disobedient students. She tried to gain the power back into her legs, which had now gone stiff with the cold. Still bowing over in a coughing fit, he tried to calm her but it was impossible, she was full of grief, and shook her head uncontrollably, trying to close her eyes, wishing herself away from this hell. He looked up to see a small figure running towards them, screaming and waving its arms. He frowned, taken unawares at what he was witnessing, who is it? he thought. When all at once, a red beam, a spell, flew past his ear with alarming speed, and hit something heavy behind him. The ground shook as it fell, and as he turned around, he noticed a large mountain troll growling on the floor. He turned his head in disbelief. “SEVERUS, MOVE!” came another loud bellow, but this time he recognised who it was. “KARIS.” His heart lifted, and he quickly pulled out of his pocket a small handkerchief. “Portus” he said quietly, tapping the handkerchief with his wand. He handed it to Minerva McGonnagall, who immediately looked up at Severus, a thankful glint in her eyes. Immediately, she grabbed hold of her friend’s hand that was on the floor beside her, and within moments, she disappeared, with them both landing safely onto the over-padded sofa, of 12 Grimmauld Place. “You are getting the knack of saving my life, Karis. That’s not the first time.” said Severus Snape with a small smile, as he pulled her into his chest, and kissed her gently on the head. “Severus, it’s bad, Voldemort attacked Harry and the D.A.” she said, as her chest heaved due to the fast sprinting she had just endured. Little did Karis know, Arthur Weasley was standing only a few feet away, and heard her words. He started to shake violently as he approached them both. “What…. Karis… What did you say?” he stuttered, his eyes clouding over with terror, as tears exploded down his face. Severus also looked shaken by her words. “What happened?” asked Severus, while putting his hand on Arthur’s shoulder. I haven’t finished yet,” she replied with a spark of annoyance. She then looked directly to Arthur, “That son of yours Arthur is a hero. He managed to foil him with a protective Love Spell. Voldemort was about to kill Hermione, and Ron somehow managed to stop him - he saved their lives.” Arthur heaved a loud sigh, but it was one of utmost relief. However, he was completely lost for words because in that moment he felt so proud of Ron that he couldn’t do anything else, but continue to cry. “Karis.” said Severus, quietly. “We have some bad news.” He took hold of her hand and held it tight within his own grasp. He could see her face had gone pale, even though the night was dark. “What?” she asked, her voice breaking. “Kingsley Shacklebolt…….. is dead.” Karis put her head down, willing her own tears to stay at bay until this fight was over. She couldn’t let weakness get in the way now, and she knew Severus was thinking the same thing. “I just let Minerva go with him back to Grimmauld Place. She is in a terrible state.” continued Severus, wanting to make sure Karis was taking in the news, wishing inside she would ask to go back to Grimmauld Place with them too. Karis nodded her head. “That was noble of you, and wise Severus. Now come on, let’s find Voldemort, and get this over and done with, once and for all!” |
Chapter 29 – The Revolt “I really hope you are right about this, Hermione,” whispered Harry, as the united group managed to fumble their way with difficulty, to the Dungeons that resides below ground level of the school. Also known as the potions classroom where many had endured the trials and tribulations of Professor Snape and his sometimes-unethical ways of practice. However, if any of them believed that now as they did before this very night, they certainly didn’t anymore. The silence that rang around the cold and dark dungeons penetrated them, but not with a feeling of foreboding or hate as was generally the norm, but with a certain feeling of gratitude. Professor Snape was the most hated teacher at Hogwarts, and yet Harry knew that if it wasn’t for him, then Remus and Karis would be dead, therefore, surely his track record for heroism may lend a helping hand in fighting Lord Voldemort? No wonder Dumbledore trusts him. Harry smiled with a small cold quivering of his lips in the darkness that they all seemed to be getting accustomed to. It will be his reward, a way of thanks for what he has done, regardless of who he used to be, thought Harry silently in his mind. “I wish we had a lantern or something so we can see properly.” said Luna, agitation in her tone, while Harry and a few others mumbled in agreement. In the distance they could still hear Bella shouting obscenities at the Werewolf. “Poor Remus, he really isn’t having a good night either is he.” said Ron with a sigh. “No, but I’m thankful he is on our side, he will keep that bellowing battleaxe under control, I have no doubt about that.” replied Justin Finch-Fletchley. “She is the most evil thing I’ve ever met. Well, besides Vold… um, You know who.” intervened Pavati Patil. “I wish you had just let Neville strangle her Ginny.” said Lavender. “At least we wouldn’t have to listen to that foul mouth of hers. Did you hear what she called Hermione as we walked away?” “Yeah, but I don’t dare to repeat it.” replied Luna. Harry smirked. “Are you alright, Hermione? Where are you?” “I’m here.” she replied “Uh, well that doesn’t really help me, Mione.” “Then, maybe this will.” Suddenly a small yellow flame lit up the far left hand corner of the dungeon classroom. “How did you do that?” asked Zacharias, incredulously. “With a match, how else?” replied Hermione, her eyes alight with the sudden yellow flames that now came out from a device underneath a large black cauldron, leaving shadows on the wall, that instantly made Cho Chang shiver. “Professor Snape always has matches in his potions cabinet, as they are used to light candles. Not everything is done by a wand you know, Zach.” Zacharias scoffed at her remark, as the others formed a circle around the now lit cauldron. “Finally, some luck!” exclaimed Luna with a smile, as she handed Hermione a book that was strewn over the Potion Masters bureau. “He obviously hasn’t had much chance to tidy up lately, look at the state of his desk.” “Luna, I could kiss you!” exclaimed Hermione in delight. “That could be interesting.” mocked Ron. Harry chuckled and then stopped abruptly at the look on Hermione’s face. “Shut up, Weasley!” retorted Luna with a playful scowl, while taking her position by the side of her friend. “Right, let’s see.” said Hermione, whilst turning the pages in fervent anticipation. “YES!” she screeched. “Here it is. Read me out the ingredients Luna.” Hermione subsequently turned to Harry and Ron. “You can both help me gather them.” “What are we going to do?” asked Ginny. “You could start by closing the door and maybe lighting all of the cauldron heaters; let’s get some light on the subject.” Ginny, Cho, Marietta and Dean Thomas undertook this chore, and within minutes, a cauldron was bubbling, whilst a comfortable warm light flittered and danced around the dungeon walls, giving each member now a body, and a friendly recognisable face. Meanwhile, the confrontation outside in the school grounds had now reached an all-time high. The Order of the Phoenix, along with Ministry officials and the power of ten wise sorcerers from the Order of Merlin were not only working overtime, but also risking their lives in finding the culprit for this ill cause. For as many Vampires he threw upon them, Mountain Trolls and Dementors, it was still not enough to thwart the progress of this hearty congregation, however much Voldemort proceeded to endeavour, so far, it was all in vain. All except for one who had fallen, Kingsley Shacklebolt. Kingsley was not only a good friend and a powerful ally, but he was an inspiration to many of the Order and Ministry officials alike, and it broke their hearts to know that he had perished in this fight for freedom, even though one might believe freedom was what he got, but at the cost of losing his life! Minerva McGonnagall was in a terrible state, as she clung onto the handkerchief that Severus had kindly passed to her and used as a portkey to transport herself and the fallen Kingsley to safety. She sat there, cradling her friend in her arms, knowing he was in a better place, and she briefly wished she could be there too, before she shook her head to rid herself of unthinkable and foolish thoughts. The air was suddenly hot and clammy in the house and it engulfed her ardently, seeming highly unusual on this cold February evening. That was when she realised that it wasn’t the air, but the stench of death. Why did it have to consume a gentleman so kind as Kingsley? Unfortunately, that is the question on many quivering lips not only on Minerva’s, but on all of the Order members and Ministry officials who had known this brave soldier. But whereas Minerva was in the safety of headquarters with Kingsley cold and still in her arms, her other friends were still fighting for their lives. She laid the bald man down upon the over padded sofa as she got up, willing composure on her sore and cold limbs. Gradually, she managed to pace the long hallway entrance and she felt her blood start to flow through her veins once more. Along the old dark mahogany wood flooring, Minerva noticed that the rug was askew and she bent down to straighten it up. The floorboard beneath her gave way and she slipped sideways. Looking back to where her foot had trod, a loose floorboard had splintered leaving a dark hidden space visible from beneath. Gently, she pulled the board up with her hands, being careful not to allow wooden splinters to pierce her skin. She put her hand down the hole, and fumbled in the darkness to pull out, what looked like, a photo album. Stupid place to put an album, thought Minerva as she opened it up and fixed her glassy eyes on the first page of photographs. For a moment, she almost dropped it in sheer amazement, as looking at her with his boyish good looks and a mischievous grin was, Sirius Black. She smiled at him, and he beamed back at her in delight. She had a sudden urge to start talking but thought it foolish so instead she turned over to the next page. Standing together was a few original members from the ‘Order of the Phoenix’. Minerva couldn’t help but immediately notice Kingsley standing tall and broad in the front row, waving at her with a huge beam of a smile. Her heart immediately felt warmer for the first time on this very cold day, and a single tear trickled down her weathered face. Lily and James were holding hands, with Sirius standing proudly beside James. But before she could turn the page and view the next picture, the photo album started to shake within her grasp, and she looked on, unaware of why it was so. Suddenly, a voice spoke to her through the pages. “Minerva, be strong, we will always be together, and we will always be watching. Help the Order and continue the quest, as the Prophecy fulfilment will set you free.” Minerva knew that voice, and she rushed into the lounge to look upon her friend who continued to lay still and breathless on the over-padded sofa. She smiled, knowing that her first initial thought was the right one – Kingsley was somewhere else, and somewhere better, he was re-united with his friends. She clutched the photo album to her chest and scurried to open it once more, only to find that the pictures had vanished from site. That was when she realised that the only witches and wizards within that album were the ones who had passed over, who had died in heroic circumstances, never to be seen in the flesh again. This was their way of saying goodbye, through a photo album, that no-one had seen, no-one had noticed, until this dark and cold fateful February evening. She put it back underneath the floorboard, her heart lifting and reviving a form of hope. Even in death Kingsley gave Minerva hope, but it also saddened her that she never really told him how she felt, even though at times he must have realised. Only three simple words that lovers say when they truly mean it. But it had never got that far with Minerva and Kingsley, they were both too busy and professional to start any form of partnership. But there was nothing to lose now, and as Minerva whispered in Kingsley’s ear three cherished words from her heart, she knew then what she had to do. Kingsley had re-united with his friends and now it was time for Minerva to re-unite with hers. Grabbing hold of her wand and taking a deep breathe; she levitated Kingsley upstairs into what they now called the ‘Hospital Ward’ after the event with Alastor and Remus, and laid him gently onto the bed, before apparating outside the school perimeter to rejoin her group and to fulfil her promise of contract to the ‘Order of the Phoenix.’ |
“MACERO” screamed Karis as a group of Deatheaters had started to assemble upon the open territory. “How the hell did they break free?” she bellowed in abhorrence. “Narcissa.” hissed Severus vehemently under his breath, recalling that they did not see her at the confrontation in Malfoy Manor. “I don’t believe this.” cried Hestia Jones, who was practically joined to the hip of her best friend, Emmeline Vance. “This is too much, we must resist.” Karis grabbed Hestia by the scruff of the neck, “NEVER. I WILL NEVER RESIST, I WOULD RATHER DIE.…” she wanted to continue, she was so angry, more then she had felt in a very long time. “Karis, NO! Not now, not here!” said Bill, pulling his girlfriend off of Hestia, who stood there in disbelief at the young lady’s outburst. “DON’T BILL!” spat Karis, throwing his hand off of her. “JUST HELP ME FIGHT!” she then ran forward without another thought, sprinting headlong towards the large group of enemies, who were now lifting their wands. When all of a sudden, she couldn’t move and she looked around to see that a white light was emanating in front of her eyes, she was surrounded in a shield that was no doing of her own. Someone had conjured the protection orb around her body and she could not move another inch, she was bound, stuck and powerless amongst the midst of the biggest battle this century. She cursed loudly, “HOW DARE YOU.” She began, with tears of anger streaming down her face, eyeing Bill Weasley, whom she believed had trapped her in this protection chamber that she did not wish to endure. Bill however shook his head, before raising his wand and throwing a curse at the hoard of Deatheaters who now approached with deadly obsession. That’s when she turned to see Albus Dumbledore eyeing her with sorrow. Karis felt like choking. “How could you?” she whispered. “Please Grandfather, I need to do this, please let me out, Please.” She begged, the tears flowing so freely down her young face. He shook his head and gave her a knowing look with a small apologetic smile. She started banging her hands on the orb layer, trying to release herself. Desperately wanting release from this thing that will keep her bound and away from harm. Severus nodded his approval to Albus Dumbledore and immediately Karis felt like dying. Everything she had worked so hard for had been ripped away from her. The murderous memory of her parents meant nothing to her now, they were the reason she had strived so hard to bring justice to their death. They can’t die in vain, they just can’t. But it was of no use anymore. She collapsed within the orb, shattered and wallowing in self-pity tears. “I’m sorry”, she whispered while gripping her wand with unprecedented anger. “I’m so sorry.” And so she watched the horror unfold in-front of her very eyes, but powerless to do anything about it. She felt the same useless sensation within the school an hour before, but that was down to Lord Voldemort, she could accept that, she wouldn’t have expected anything else from him. But from her own Grandfather to render her powerless was more than she could bear. It was all because he loved her, and naturally, she was all he had left but right now, even Karis knew this in her heart, but her un-rational level of thought denied her to believe it. Five minutes, it’s only five minutes and then I will show him, I will show them all! High-pitched laughter awoke Karis from her reverie. Whereas only a minute ago she had collapsed in tears within the orb, she was now on her feet, eyeing with repulsion, a cloaked Deatheater who was standing in front of her, laughing at her dejected situation as if it the funniest thing he had ever seen. “Poor Little Karis,” came the voice as the cloaked figure approached the Orb. “What a shame it is that you have to die at the hands of your irresponsible Grandfather. A fool who only wishes to protect his only Grandchild, and yet where is he now?” said Voldemort, while raising his arms to shoulder width, palms outstretched, motioning that Dumbledore was no-where in sight. “I’ll kill you when this Orb deteriorates, I swear to Merlin and the memory of my parents, you will die!” she retorted, her voice cold, her large brown eyes empty. “I don’t think so, as after all, there is no way to block the avada curse, not even this orb can protect you now. You still remain a very foolish child, Karis.” “If you wish to kill me then go ahead – but what I want to know is, why didn’t you do it before, when I was six? – answer me that question before I die.” Voldemort eyed her cautiously. “I didn’t have a choice, that traitor Snape, who will soon be dead I hasten to add, rescued you before I had a chance.” “That’s a lie!” she hissed. “You had plenty of opportunity. Five Weeks – FIVE FEEKS YOU KEPT ME IN THAT CELL!” NOW YOU TELL ME – WHY!” she bellowed, her expression full of hatred, her hands pinned up against the orb layer, willing for release. “What? What could you have wanted from a six year old child?” she said in-between her painful sobs. “I wanted you to join me Karis, I wanted to bring you up as my own when I realised your gift in telepathy, you were to be my finest creation, and yet you defied me, the brat that you were, you defied my plans just like your meddlesome Grandfather, and because of that, I have no choice but to kill you.” Karis shrieked, but this time it wasn’t one of anger, but of amusement. “You really thought I would join you? I’m a Dumbledore, it’s in my blood to defy you.” She laughed once more but Voldemort eyed her carefully. “Is it?” he retorted. “You know nothing about your Mother’s family do you Karis?” Karis immediately fell silent. “What is that supposed to mean?” Voldemort snarled. “My blood flows through your veins Karis. “YOU LIAR!” she bellowed. Slamming her hands against the orb, wishing it was his neck that she could ring with the power that was reverberating through her palms and outstretched fingers. “Believe it!! It turns out that my filthy Muggle Father had an affair before I killed him. My work was done, or so I thought. Until I found out that I had a half sister who was born to a witch whom was supposed to be a good friend of my Mother’s. Why do you think I was thrown into an Orphanage Karis? It was a joyous occasion when my Mother was killed during child-birth; Riddle was relieved that his dirty secret wasn’t revealed, that secret being your mudblood Mother being born! That’s right Karis, as much as it may appal you, unfortunately, you are my half-niece! “My father wouldn’t have married a woman who was related to you! He wouldn’t have done it!” “Your Father knew everything – he was her protecting officer when the Order of Merlin issued her safety after they knew that I had found out. They got together a year later, sickening isn’t it! My half sister marries a Dumbledore and then you were born, it amazed me however that we share the same gift.” “THE SAME GIFT AS MY GRANDFATHER!” she bellowed. “Occlumency comes from him, not you – your Father was a muggle therefore we have no magical connection at all!” If what you are saying is true, then none of it matters. You are nothing to me!” “Now you know why I didn’t kill you." said Voldemort. "But I must kill you now, it all ends here for our family Karis – it’s a shame that I am the only one to live up to the heir of Salazar Slytherin, and to finish his noble work, I’m lucky in that respect, as that side comes from my Dead Mother.” “Noble?” ha ha ha laughed Karis. “You don’t know the meaning of the word noble, Tom. It is alright to call you Tom isn’t it? – considering we are related an all!” She retorted sarcastically. While following it up with spitting a mouthful of saliva onto the floor of the orb to show her vehement hatred. She suddenly looked into his red eyes, and wished she could scramble his brains until they flowed out of his nose, but she couldn’t, not with this bloody orb in the way, she cursed into herself. “Goodbye Karis.” said Voldemort triumphantly, as he lifted his wand and muttered quietly “Avada Kadavra” |
This is really good |
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Here is the next post: Harry clutched his head as the scar upon his forehead seared in unbelievable pain. He collapsed onto the floor. Feeling sick and yet empty inside. Luna rushed over to him, as did Ron, Cho and Ginny. “Harry, what happened, are you alright?” panicked Luna as she squeezed him tight on his shoulder. “No, something is wrong, Voldemort just used the Avada Curse, I know he did, I can feel it.” He was shaking his head as tears welled up in his eyes and yet he closed them tightly shut, to prevent them protruding wholeheartedly down his face. “I hope it’s no one we know.” muttered Ron as he quickly put his head down. Harry jumped up. “Potion Hermione, Now!” he said adamantly, while wiping his conspicuous tears away quickly with his sleeve. “It’s ready, but still hot.” she replied “I don’t care, bottle it and let’s get out of here.” Hermione did her best to bottle the potion while minding her fingers, trying desperately hard not to burn them. But it was inevitable and she yelped as a trickle landed on the back of her hand. “Be careful Mione.” ordered Ron, but remained as calm as possible in his tone, upon noticing her shaking fingers. Harry compelled himself to believe in the worst; he shook his head to rid his thoughts which he was getting quite used to doing lately. Many of the thoughts that rang through his mind where not pleasant, generally the negative and the worst of any given situation and he knew it was wrong, but he couldn’t help it – right now he needed hope and the only thing standing in-between that was the idea that he would have to face Voldemort unarmed, in order for the potion to work; he immediately clenched his fists as his body shivered in the candlelight. “Hurry up Hermione.” he whispered through a large intake of breath, his chest heaving, illuminating his broad shoulders. “Done!” exclaimed Hermione, victoriously. She handed it to Harry. “Careful, it’s hot.” But he wasn’t listening to her guidance; instead he just stared at the small vial he held in front of him. It was glistening a bright velvety red and for a few moments, Harry prayed to the liquid that was still bubbling softly in the bottle. He prayed that it would work, because if it didn’t, Harry knew it would all be over, and Voldemort would win. He couldn’t let that happen, but if this potion didn’t exceed in it’s properties, then only the unthinkable would prevail. Slowly but surely the group left the potion masters classroom, and Luna made sure to take the small lantern that she had lit with the matches that Snape had lying around on his desk – to give them some form of sight, albeit dim, to the exit of the school. Upon their descent, Hermione stopped. “What is it?” whispered Ron, as he had carried on in his step and almost had his arm pulled off. “Listen.” said Hermione, standing still while notioning with a nod to the others. “I don’t hear anything.” replied Ron. “That’s exactly my point Ron.” “Oh.” “Is it over?” whispered Dean Thomas. “I don’t know, but what I do know is he used an unforgivable curse which makes me believe Voldemort is still alive, if he wasn’t I would know.” replied Harry, noticing that his scar was still prickling from the curse that his adversary had recently conjured. Hermione sighed. “Let’s find Lupin. That is depending of course that Bellatrix hasn’t nagged him to death.” Seamus and Cho stopped abruptly in mid stride. “Uh.. I wouldn’t be too concerned about that.” replied Seamus, as he noticed the tall werewolf snarling in front of them. Harry approached forward, the warm potion gripped tightly in his fingers. “I have the potion Remus, and it’s going to work I know it is, but you have to let us through.” The werewolf let out a small cry. Harry stepped forward and did the same as Karis had an hour before. He stroked him on the head. “Please Remus, you can’t protect me forever.” As these words rang in the ears of the beast he felt an overwhelming urge to lie down and wash away any hope he had left, but being the honourable marauder and loyal friend he obeyed Harry’s wishes, and gallantly stepped aside. Bellatrix was tightly bound on the floor, the only difference however was that she was unmoving and quiet. Harry noticed a gash in her head due to claw marks that could only have derived from the werewolf. “At least you managed to shut her up.” teased Harry, feebly attempting some form of light-heartedness as he walked towards the entrance to go out into the open air, with the rest of Dumbledore’s Army, the werewolf of Remus Lupin and the small lantern in toe. |
Voldemort looked down to see that the Orb of Protection had cleared just as his irreparable spell had fired from the tip of his wand. Karis however, was no-where in site. She had disappeared immediately upon the deterioration of the orb, missing the deathly curse within seconds of penetration. Instead the Avada curse hit a mountain troll that was about to embark upon a group of Ministry officials that had now managed to thwart the Vampires with many sunlight curses and wooden stake hexes. Voldemort turned around heartily to see Karis standing before him, her wand poised, ready for action. “Now we shall see who will prevail, Tom. Because the truth is, I’m not afraid anymore.” “You should be.” he hissed. “Maybe, but I now know that what happened wasn’t my fault.” “Your Mother and Father deserved to die, and now you will join them.” He lifted his wand once more, and so did Karis. She delved into his eyes and immediately entered his mind. She felt him shudder and push her out. “I’m not fooling for that again!” he bellowed. “AVADA KADAVRA” was screamed so loudly that it managed to carry in the wind, and suddenly Karis thought she was dead. Until she realised that the sound of the voice was her own. Voldemort managed to immediately throw himself out of the way, almost thankful that he remembered that apparation was not a possibility within the grounds of Hogwarts, instead, he was quite overcome and angered that his cloak was now covered in dirt. “Very impressive, Karis. You see, I knew you had it in you. Now do you see why I didn’t want you dead before!?” “The night is still young, Tom.” “Not for you it isn’t, but I’m looking to have a bit of fun first.” “Crucio” Karis was hit before she could conjure her protection shield. She fell backwards and screamed out as the pain penetrated into her small unprotected frame. It was as if her bones were being craved out of flames and she screwed her eyes shut, praying it would lift quickly. She heard him cackle to himself once more as she lifted her frail body up from the cold ground. She muttered something in the cold night air, something which he didn’t quite hear. From the tip of her wand came a bright fast yellow light, it hit Voldemort in the chest and threw him backwards, somersaulting with fierce projection, into the air. She stood there, her face hard as stone, her eyes full of pure intensity and for a few moments, she didn’t look like the young Karis Dumbledore, instead she looked quite intimidating. Member Orders and Ministry officials came hurtling towards her, screaming for her to get out of the way, she didn’t even hear them. Instead she was standing in-front of the most hated and wanted sorcerer in the world, and she felt unfazed by him and was about to stun him with another spell, when she was thrown onto the ground by Bill Weasley. Striving forth with unprecedented authority, Professor Albus Dumbledore, with eyes blazing, appeared in-front of the Wizard who was now standing tall, a smirk across his snake scaled face. Voldemort started to laugh, “You fool, you cannot beat me, I am completely invincible to any spell that you wish to enthral upon me, I would have thought you would have realised that by now, Albus!” Albus Dumbledore looked grave as he shook his head. “Tom, Tom, how you think of yourself in such high stead, and forget about the little things.” “Your talk means nothing to me. Why don’t you raise your wand instead old man, and lets see who really is the greatest sorcerer of all time?” “NOOOOOO” screamed Karis, as she fought with Bill to let her go. His grip was so tight on her arms she could feel his fingers dig into her soft flesh, making them feel bruised and swollen within seconds of permeation. Her words seemed to echo in the frosty wind, as they were heard by many, especially Harry and the D.A., as they walked through the courtyard into the open grounds of the school, and his heart leapt to know she was still alive, but immediately fell, knowing that the predicament she and the rest of the Order were in, was likely to be treacherous and deadly. He ran, as fast as he could, the potion still warm in his hand, and followed head forth to the carried voice of his adopted sister. |
It took Harry, Hermione and Ron a few moments to comprehend what was going on; as they were the first three to descend upon the battle. Luna muffled a small shriek as she approached with the lantern that had now burned out from the cold wind. She grabbed his arm. “Please Harry, lets not do this, Albus has it under control, lets go back.” “I can’t” he stuttered as he gently took her hand off of his arm. “The prophecy states that I am the only one who can do this – Please Luna, don’t make this any harder than it already is.” A tear trickled down her face and he noticed her shoulders shake with voracious emotion. Hermione noticed too and pulled Luna into her, embracing her tightly. “You are all to stay here, if it spirals out of control, than go back inside the school.” “Over my dead body!” retorted Ron, staring into his willowy-eyed friend. “I’m worried that may be the case, Ron.” “We go together!” said Zacharias, approaching forthwith. Upon his words a silence fell upon the united group, and they eyed him with curiosity; as it was the first time Zach had given an order, but not just an order, a majority agreeable statement. Another scream emanated into the night, and Harry could not argue anymore, he had a prophecy to fulfil, and as the stars would have it, that seemed to be tonight. - Dumbledore had been hit hard in the back with a spell that didn’t derive from Voldemort, but from a Deatheater that had come in from behind. Severus Snape tried to thwart the cloaked, one time acquaintance from progress, but he was too late. Albus fell onto the floor, his face expressing solemn disbelief as his normal sparkling blue eyes clouded over like a gust of wind on a wet winter morning, his half moon spectacles askew, hanging off from his long crooked nose. How did it come to this? This veil of misery which had now been clouded in a shroud of pain and anything that had derived from hope was withering away, and fast. Karis had collapsed to the ground, her body shaking as she watched her last family member wither into the cold grass, fighting for life. Severus ran over to her, trying to unfurl any feeble attempt that she had in her unstable mind, of revenge. That’s when the Order of Merlin had seen enough, only was it now that a first class wizard in their reign was to fall would it be they strive with the forces that they bestow within their blood. As they chanted a spell that immediately lit up the sky. The view of the battle was very clear. They were alone. Only those who see fit to fight this war that was so inevitable had stepped forward, and immediately it was clear that all hope had been lost in the hearts of the magical world. Only 200 witches and wizards in total had any form of courage and self confidence to thwart Voldemort and his followers, majority of those being employees at the Ministry of Magic. Why it is so remained unclear as they watched on, the grounds of the school being swallowed up with the evil vagrants of the Magic commodity. They truly were outnumbered. Harry and the DA were momentarily blinded upon their hearty descent, by the light that emanated from the ten powerful wise men. “Oh no.” sobbed Hermione as she caught site of Albus Dumbledore on the ground, a smirking triumphant smirk from Voldemort, as he closed in on him. It was a war zone in every sense of the word. The Mountain trolls and Dementors were outnumbering the witches and wizards by five to one, and Harry felt a whirl of dread rise to his chest and suddenly found it hard to breathe. “Harry, look.” pointed Justin, as a large group of Dementors had spotted them. They came forward with urgent velocity – they had obviously been watching out for him, hoping to make their master proud. And within their sites, not only was Harry Potter standing there, just waiting for their kiss, but his measly little friends were there for the party too. Luna threw the useless lantern onto the hilly ground and grasped her wand tight. “Think happy thoughts, because if you don’t, you won’t be thinking another ever again.” They obliged immediately, after all, what else could they do? With gut wrenching panic and erratic beating hearts, they closed their eyes, and with all the power they could muster within themselves, all the love they feel for the school and for their unity, it helped knowing that they still had hope even in this darkest of moment. Harry saw his Mother in his mind, smiling at him, hearing her voice as if she was standing right next to him – for a moment he thought he was going to wake up from a very bad dream, but this was no dream, it was a gift in this moment of true sinister abundance that she spoke to him. As they formed a long line, they heard a muffled curse word along with a scrambling of feet as Neville awoke from his reverie to find a scene that he didn’t quite anticipate upon waking up from his stupor. As if by a hidden force, he managed to raise his wand up, level with the rest of his friends who immediately held defiant expressions. “GET READY” screamed Harry “OH MY, THEY’RE COMING.” bellowed Lavender Brown, panic in her voice, yet her heart told her to not lose the moment of her special memory. Not now – just not now. In a loud audible sequence “Expecto Patronum” was bellowed into the wind – or was it just the fact they all screamed them two words so loud they deafened themselves? Harry wasn’t sure, but the echo carried and so did the spells that immediately let go from each and every wand from the unformed line. As the white emanating lights projected into the chilled air, the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore (whom was still on the ground) and the Ministry of Magic looked up to see the biggest and brightest patronum ever formed. The spell that Dumbledore’s Army had just produced was any normal Patronum, but what was most amazing about this one, is the spells had merged. As the stag, badger, cow, dog, bird, elephant, monkey, cat, and any other form that was conjured, merged as one to form the biggest, brightest charging patronum ever seen. A mass form of one hundred horses with a cart the size of Hogwarts was charging itself through the air. The Order of Merlin looked upon this in awe and gave way to the delightful scene. Voldemort bellowed a loud growl which echoed out into the open space up towards the D.A. and Harry immediately felt him self smile. “Wow.” said Ron, breathless. “What was that?” asked Zacharias. Hermione flicked her hair back and let go of Ron’s arm. “I’m thinking that was the biggest expecto patronum in history.” “But how?” asked Zach. Harry turned to see Neville Longbottom standing tall at the end of the line. He smiled to himself. “Welcome back Neville.” He retorted light-heartedly. “Thanks.” He mumbled while rubbing his head. “NEVILLE!” screeched Ginny as she ran up to him and fell into his arms. However, he still looked stumped as to what had just happened, still rubbing his head, he replied. “I take it the war has started then.” “Oh, Neville.” muttered Ginny as she clung onto her boyfriend tightly, silently praying that this wasn’t going to be the last time. |
Voldemort was thrown back onto the ground with the force of the patronum. It wasn’t clear why considering they generally only affected Dementors, but the force that derived from this incantation was substantial and shook the ground beneath where evil trod. Albus Dumbledore rose to his feet, his face deathly pale and his eyes a dark cloudy blue which mingled with loathing in his heavy frowned brow. “Your time is finished here, Tom.” said Dumbledore as he walked towards the wizard who was once again scrambling to his feet. “Never!” he retorted in abhorrence. The order of Merlin approached forward, their bright-conjured spell still imminent, floating like withered leaves in the ice-cold mist. In the meantime, Severus Snape and Karis Dumbledore had moved from their spot and continued to bring down two mountain trolls and seven Deatheaters between them. With the Dementors now perished it left the Ministry and Order officials more room to fight, and gave them all an improved headway. As the Order of Merlin approached Voldemort, he took a step back. For the first time since his downfall on that evening at Godric’s Hollow, when he perished, did he feel scared. He never felt scared, but something powerful was unfolding in front of him. The lost boy that was Tom Riddle, the child that was thrown into an orphanage and left without a care in the world had grown into this monster, and yet as he stood there, suddenly alone he almost hesitated in his next planned move. Harry and the rest of Dumbledore’s Army had now embarked upon the group, while keeping extra vigilance they managed to stun a few Deatheaters along with a mountain troll that approached them, bearing a large tree stump. “MOVE!” bellowed Ron as he threw Harry down onto the ground. The Mountain troll roared so loud that it almost echoed. Luna noticed Harry trying to dodge the almighty swing of the stump, which was grasped tightly in the Troll’s hand. She threw it a conjunctivitis curse, and immediately it stumbled backwards. Groaning in pain as it rubbed its eyes and skulked off like a petulant child. Harry whispered a Thank you to his girlfriend who just smiled and lifted her hand to wipe a streak of mud off of his cheek. She stared into his eyes for a few moments, but quickly turned away as her own started to well up. “Come on.” Harry said bravely as he put his hand on her shoulder. Harry, Luna, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny, Zach, Cho, Dean, Seamus, Marietta, Justin, Lavender, Pavati, Ernie, Colin, Dennis, Terry, Anthony, Angelina, Alicia and Katie – strode forward as one, the cold breeze hitting their face as they marched forward with courage and heroism. Voldemort noticed the group approaching and smirked. He turned to face Albus Dumbledore and the Order of Merlin, and said “You are right, my time is up here – with you.” then immediately disappeared into thin air. Dumbledore’s Army ran forward as did the Order of the Phoenix. Arthur grabbed hold of Ron and Ginny immediately and pulled them tightly into his chest. There was a frenzied commotion and Harry suddenly felt lost. They had taken their eye off of the battle and he started to feel uneasy as Karis grabbed him once more and held him tight. “I have a plan.” He whispered to her. “What are you talking about, Harry?” she replied, breathless. But before he could answer, something hit them both. From out of nowhere came a spell that reduced them of energy as they fell to the floor. ‘Macero’. The weakening spell was transcended into the night and the next thing Harry knew, he was being held tightly around the neck, by no other than Lord Voldemort himself. |
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Severus Snape stepped away, hoping he would go un-noticed as he raised his black hood and mingled within the opposing side. Luna tried to fight her way out of Bill Weasley’s arms, but under no circumstances would he let her go. Karis was laid flat out on the ground as Ginny and Cho ran over to her, helping her up gently. Voldemort spoke. “Lower your wands and drop that fire spell.” He hissed softly to the Order of Merlin, who was still emanating the full orange light that was to surround Lord Voldemort and his fellow warmongers within a reverie of insufferable pain. The Order of Merlin looked to Albus Dumbledore who nodded his head, and gradually they let go of the spell that they had worked so hard in conjuring amongst the battle that had unfurled in-front of them all. “Now, we are in a jam aren’t we Albus.” Mocked Voldemort. His smirk highly apparent on his face even without the light from the fire spell that had now completely diminished. The Death-eaters that had managed to stay up right had now approached forward, standing there facing once another was inhabitants of two worlds. Once of pure good; the other of dark evil, beckoning one another to make a move, but knowing that it was impossible, as the only thing that stood in there way was the parallel of good and evil itself; Lord Voldemort and Harry James Potter. - Silence gloved the battle, the war, the fight or whatever one wants to call it as the wands that belonged to the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore’s army tumbled gently onto the frosted ground. Except Luna’s, she threw hers with angered force, missing Justin Finch-Fletchley’s head within millimetres. Hermione clutched onto Ron’s arm, her fingers dug into his flesh as they stood there completely helpless as their best friend was held defiantly and it finally became apparent before their very eyes, especially for Luna, that their nightmare was coming true. Albus Dumbledore along with the Order of Merlin stood tall and would not relent their position, they had no wands to speak of but their power was unprecedented and that would always be so, so instead they remained on-guard and could only try and thwart further progress. Harry suddenly threw his wand down onto the floor, which perplexed Voldemort slightly, and a few mutters could be heard coming from the dark hooded and cloaked congregation. “I am unarmed, can you kill a young sixteen year old wizard with no form of defence, Voldemort?” stuttered Harry, beckoning with his entire soul to stay fully composed. “You are a bigger idiot then I thought you were, Potter!” retorted Voldemort, throwing his head back, alluring a shriek of High-Pitched laughter. Karis legs were still buckling beneath her as Cho and Ginny held onto her tight. Gaining focus she realised that Severus was not beside her but noticed a cloaked figure opposite gaining closure position at the front of the Deatheaters. Her heart told her it was him. What is he doing?”. Harry had his eyes closed, he was using occlumency she knew it! But Karis couldn’t get a signal, she was too weak. The Macero spell had hit her with force straight in the face and only rebounded onto Harry. “That was obviously done on purpose!” she thought as she tried to clench her fist. A few protests and grumbles were apparently happening within the Death eater camp but Voldemort was feeling too triumphant to notice as he raised his own wand to Harry’s neck. Karis fell forward in her last attempt to try something but she collapsed – feeling angry and useless she screamed which turned most attention onto her. “Pick up that snivelling brat of yours Albus dear, she will succeed in me acquiring a head-ache”! Harry was now mumbling something quite incoherently and Voldemort noticed that he was using a form of occlumency. “Crucio.” He whispered into Harry’s ear, the suppressed chuckle still slightly noticeable as the spoken word reached his ear-drum. His putrid breathe lingering a small cloud over Harry’s face as he turned and gave his rival a defiant pain ridden scowl. Not wanting to scream out loud as the pain penetrated his entire being. He held his position, staring Voldemort in the face with the utmost contempt, but not once issuing sound, not even muffled anxiety. Luna felt the tears stroll down her face as she watched the young man she loved bear this curse on his shoulders and not squirm, not cry, not move. She couldn’t watch this, how could she watch the man she loves die in front of her – Oh, life is so cruel. Ginny noticed her wand had not fallen flat onto the ground but instead was standing up against the bottom of her leg. She pretended to bend down and pick up Karis and quickly slipped the wand into her robe sleeve. She let out a sigh of relief as it had seemed to go un-noticed. She held her wand tight and stuck it gently to the back of Karis. “Ennervate” she whispered, and as she did, Karis turned and gave her a brilliant smile, and suddenly, with the gift she inherited from her Grandfather – Disappeared once more, into the night air. Albus noticed and he felt himself move forward then realising straightaway that it was a bad move. “Don’t you dare!” spat Voldemort. “Actually, No – please do Albus, I want to observe your expression as I kill the boy.” |
Albus took a step back, his vision became slightly blurred and he quickly regained his composure. “Tom, you don’t have to do this, there is still hope for you.” He spoke quietly and at his words many of the Deatheaters chuckled maliciously under their hooded attire. “Cowards.” spat Luna quietly. Her anger rising inside of her chest, along with mixes of fear and panic. “You are a fool Albus, Tom Riddle died a long time ago and yet you refuse to let it go – I am barely human never mind having any remnants of the Riddle boy flowing in my veins, it’s over for you, but for me it is just the beginning.” Voldemort raised his wand to Harry’s neck. “Say goodbye to your friend’s Harry.” He whispered spitefully, “But don’t worry about your little girlfriend, I will take good care of the Lovegood girl in your absence.” Harry felt his gut wrench, his chest heaved and he suddenly felt an overwhelming surge of anger flow through him – strength so powerful that he momentarily felt invincible. He brought his arms forward and threw them back with such angered force that Voldemort fell backwards and Harry turned around, his normal emerald green eyes blazing fierce with flames. Voldemort stared into those fire licked eyes and smirked. “Hit a nerve, Potter?” But before Harry could answer something flew towards him out of no-where, knocking him onto the ground. Voldemort had been stunned by a curse that also seemed to derive out of the darkness. The Deatheaters raised their wands to strike at the culprit but they could not see where it had come from. “Oh Karis – What are you doing” thought a panic-stricken Harry. Harry tried to get to his feet, to find the culprit that pushed him over was now shielding him with his tall upright frame – positioning himself in-between Harry and Voldemort, looked to be a Deatheater, but it couldn’t be? That’s when Harry realised that Severus Snape had done the unthinkable, and threw himself into Voldemort’s firing line to protect a student – to protect the Potter boy. A scream emanated into the darkness and it all happened as if in slow motion. As the green light protruded out of the end of a wand, it came hurtling towards the dark cloaked figure blocking Harry’s view. He scrambled to his feet, as a surge of Deatheaters started to roam forward, wands poised, ready for action once more. Harry turned and caught the solemn eyes of Albus Dumbledore and as clear as day a voice spoke to him, only two words but they echoed through him with absolute serenity ‘Harry – Now!’ As Harry quickly unscrewed the top of the potion bottle, a Deatheater was within a few feet, ready to pounce onto him – ready to kill. He threw the bottle towards his nemesis; it glided softly but quickly into the air. He kept his stare on the potion – the only salvation they had. The potion splattered vehemently onto Voldemort’s head and suddenly a deathly silence cloaked the surging fight. Harry threw himself back onto the floor, missing the green beam that had derived from the opposing Phoenix feather wand, and as he heard Voldemort scream in agony, his heart beat quickened and his body pumped with adrenaline. – It’s working. The Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry of Magic quickly regained the requirement of their wands using the simple ‘Accio’ spell to lift them up from the dewy ground. They, all as one, as a team came hurtling forward to meet the rest of the Deatheaters in battle, for what looked to be the last time – now it was time to revolt, and beat them– once and for all. |
A loud cheer erupted as the early sunrise made an appearance in the grey February morning sky. Voldemort lay there on the ground, his wand still grasped in his hand, and yet he was lifeless and deeply scarred from the vanquishing potion that Harry had managed to hit him with; which had been only possible due to Voldemort becoming occupied with two other opponents – one invisible, one not. As the scaly faced monster lay there dead, calmness came over Harry as he looked on, not quite fathoming and comprehending what had happened. That is when he turned and noticed all the black cloaked bodies that lay strewn over the wet grass. They had done it – Voldemort was dead and so were many of the Deatheaters that followed him. It was decided that the Order of Merlin could not just bind these dark wizards anymore, some things had to be more permanent, and it was in the last dying minutes of the fight that they had made a noble decision to conjure a deadly ‘mortuus’ spell. Harry tried to stay upright, but the emotion hit him like a ton of bricks as he watched his sister sobbing with grief over a long thin body which belonged to a black cloaked Deatheater – but it wasn’t a Deatheater, how could it be? This wizard had saved his life, had stood in Harry’s way and therefore thwarted Voldemort’s progress, taking his eye off of the ball for a few important seconds so Harry could administer the Vanquishing potion. “Noooo, please noooooo.” She sobbed quietly soaking the deathly black robes of a close family friend – the man who Karis had always known as saving her life at six years old. “Please…. Grandfather, please do something.” She begged the old man as he approached, a tear lingering on his white eyelashes. He bent down to put his long wrinkled hand onto her shoulder and squeezed it tightly. “I’m sorry sweetheart; there is nothing we can do.” Karis screamed as she threw herself over her still friend, holding him tight as more salted tears fell from her own cheeks. Severus Snape had sacrificed himself to save Harry, and as Harry approached the man who he had always known to be his hindrance, every negative feeling he felt for this wizard died instantly. Harry collapsed by Severus’ side and sobbed quietly. Motioning his own hand forward he took Severus’ in his own and held it firmly in his grasp, he put his chin to his chest and as his shoulders shook with grief he was surprised to feel Karis’ hand on his shoulder. “It’s not your fault.” she whispered quietly, as she battled with her own grief not to overtake her once more, failing her of speech. “He did what he thought was right and he paid his debt, he is free now and so are we Harry, so are we all.” Harry threw his arms around Karis, and they cried into each-other for a few minutes. As they both parted they noticed that the Ministry of Magic, Dumbledore’s Army and the Order of the Phoenix were standing behind them. Tired, dishevelled, grieving for a friend who had been killed by the hand of Lord Voldemort but whom also died in such a heroic circumstance that they couldn’t move, couldn’t talk, just watched, as many tears fell from their white cheeks. Harry parted with Karis and approached the large group. Luna ran forward, along with Hermione and Ron and they hurdled together at once in a zealous embrace. One after the other, each member of Dumbledore’s Army followed and held tightly onto one another, feeling liberated in this moment of triumph and yet no-one could speak, they just stood there trying to comprehend the long night’s events and sobbed quietly together. |
Chapter 30 – Coming to Terms. Severus Snape and Kingsley Shacklebolt were laid to rest one week later. The funerals were held in concession and both wizards received a noble award for bravery issued by the Order of Merlin. Severus Snape also gained title of Order of Merlin first class which was to be carved onto his head-stone. It took everyone a lot of strength to attend but no-one felt it more than Karis, Harry and Minerva McGonnagall, they stood together at the front of the grieving congregation and held tightly onto each-others hands as the minister of magic and Egorian, (the highest ranking first class Order of Merlin official) made their speeches about how brave these two solders were, in fighting to make this world a better place, by fighting for peace and saving many lives of students and fellow peacemakers at the battle of Hogwarts - the first and undoubtedly last in history. Albus Dumbledore thought it best that all the students went home to their families for a couple of weeks and resume their education after the Easter break. This left a few questions as to where Harry would be staying, but Harry had made up his own mind. Luna knocked quietly on the door but there was no answer, so she tapped it again, slightly louder this time, emphasising a little more force on the thick mahogany wood door. Still, silence rang and she felt her stomach churn within her. You’re in there Harry, I know you are. She decided to give up and turned her back and started to make her way when she heard the door handle turn. Stopping in mid step she already felt the emerald gaze piercing through her back and slowly turned around to face him. He looks withered and drawn, his face pale, his glasses askew and his cheeks red with faint streaks where tears had obviously been trickling only moments before. Who said teenage boys never cried? Whoever had once said that was lying, because in Harry’s case he did, he felt strongly and deeply and was never afraid to show it, never embarrassed. A couple of years ago he would have been, his pride would have told him to hold back and fight the grief. He did when Sirius died, it was only Albus Dumbledore whom witnessed the suppressed emotion so fervently, but never did he show it to anyone else, until this year. Luna advanced forward, her own face pale which made her blue eyes seem darker in the gloomy corridor. She approached him without a sound and instantly clasped her arms around his neck and held him close. He shuddered under her grip but this only made her hold him tighter. After a few moments they went inside the room and drew near to the low single bed that once belonged to Sirius Black and quietly sat down together; with silence still lingering Luna decided to break the hush. “I thought you would want to see this Harry.” she whispered quietly while holding out a copy of the Daily Prophet. Harry took hold of it and in doing so gently brushed her hand, she gave him a warm smile and he grimaced as he read the headline aloud. DARK LORD DEFEATED ONCE MORE BY THE BOY WHO LIVED. Suddenly and most unrepentantly the newspaper was thrown across the room and Harry was up on his feet, his fists clenched, his teeth gritted as he rounded on Luna with such anger that she sat back, hitting the wall as his fierce look burned into her like daggers. “DON’T THEY KNOW ANYTHING?” he shouted at the top of his voice. “Wh…at do you mean?” she stuttered. “IT WASN’T JUST ME, IT WAS SEVERUS TOO, IT WAS ALL OF US. SEVERUS AND KINGSLEY ARE DEAD AND INSTEAD OF MOURNING THE LOSS OF TWO REMARKABLE WIZARDS, THEY ARE PARTYING IN THE STREET, TELLING ME HOW GREAT I AM – IT’S WRONG LUNA, IT’S JUST SO WRONG.” Harry approached the mirror that was hanging on the wall above the chest of drawers that some of his clothes had now taken residence. He viewed himself, his face contorted, his brow deeply lined and out of pure frustration he punched the mirror with force, cracking it with his clenched fist. Luna felt a lump form in her throat because as much as she didn’t like Harry’s tone, his temper that sometimes surprised her and upset her immensely, she couldn’t argue with him, because deep down she knew he was right. “I’m sure they don’t mean anything untoward by it, but what you did Harry was very brave, confronting Voldemort like that, unarmed. You deserve to be commended.” “You’re biased.” He spat, which made her surprised look turn into a dangerous scowl. “FINE! MAYBE I AM BUT THE TRUTH IS HARRY ITS OVER, SO FOR MERLIN SAKE, DEAL WITH IT!” she screamed back. He turned on her quickly. “What did you say?” he replied vehemently, his face turning red as he approached her. Luna stood up upon noticing his once more rising temper but she wasn’t about to make a run for it, she was going to do what Luna did best, speak her mind and stand her ground. “I said you have to deal with it Harry, life goes on.” Harry grabbed her with force by the shoulders, she looked up, her fierce gaze penetrating that of his own. “Don’t you ever tell me to just deal with it. Do you have any idea how I’ve been dealing with it since the age of eleven. WELL DO YOU?” he bellowed, while shaking her with force, but not violently, even in this heated moment, there first proper argument, Luna knew he wouldn’t hurt her, he never would, not Harry. “I can only imagine, but Harry, this is what you have been working towards, this is what the D.A. and the Order have been striving to achieve – for God Sake Harry you have to let them go.” she replied, trying to stay calm in Harry’s moment of grief stricken panic. Harry stopped and stared at her, his mouth gaped open slightly at her words, as in his own mind he comprehended them. “This isn’t really about you and the Daily Prophet story is it Harry?” she asked quietly. Harry turned his head away, not daring to look at her. Damnit, how does she do it? Luna continued. “It’s all over Harry, Voldemort is dead and finally the crimes he committed, the innocent people he murdered can now rest in peace; your parents, Sirius, Severus, they are at peace now, you must remember that.” Harry walked towards the cracked mirror and looked at his distorted face in the fractured glass, only until now did he feel the pain in his hand and notice the blood trickling from his knuckles. “I’m right aren’t I.” she pushed. Harry stayed quiet, staring down at his bleeding hand. “Come here, let’s get you mended.” “Don’t worry, I’ll do it!” replied Harry sullenly, while lifting his wand and muttering ‘Reparo’ to the broken mirror and then healing his own hand with a flesh repairing incantation. |
Part 2 Harry received an Owl the very next morning. He fumbled in the morning rays that were thriving through the small bedroom window. “What bloody time do you call this?” he muttered aloud, as he put on his glasses and looked at his watch, it read 9:45am. He stretched away the morning stiffness from his body and with a wide yawn finally stroked the brown barn owl that kept pecking him lightly on his leg. As he gently started to open the letter he heard a small feminine mumble coming from the pillow beside him. He let out a small sigh as he watched Luna gently rousing from her peaceful sleep. “What time is it?” she asked in a morning croak, while rubbing her eyes. “Nine forty five.” He replied while stroking her head gently. “I’ve just received an Owl, sorry if I woke you.” Luna smiled as she sat up right. “No it’s alright. Who is the owl from?” “I don’t know, I haven’t opened it yet.” replied Harry, staring down at the small piece of parchment that he still held, half open, in his hand. Luna shifted forward and peered her eyes over his shoulder. “Nosy aren’t you!” he mocked gently. Luna smiled, it made a nice change to see Harry acting this way. Especially after the way he was only the night before. After their initial argument Harry finally let Luna in, and told her how he truly felt about the whole ordeal with the death of Voldemort, Snape and Kingsley. What Harry wasn’t counting on was Luna guessing – and he felt she had seer qualities but she denied the accusation calling it absurd and the only reason she feels so strongly is because of her deep affection for him. This talk helped Harry open up, and only Luna was successful in pushing him to do so. Talking to Ron and Hermione had been very difficult, Harry had wanted nothing to do with anyone, and talking to Luna felt good as it was on an emotional level, something he had never really experienced until now; and before he closed his eyes and went to sleep in the early hours of the morning, he had asked Luna to stay with him. Initially she looked taken aback but then Harry made a feeble stuttering attempt to explain that he just wanted her there for company and expected nothing more. Luna laughed and mocked with him, saying she was disappointed and liked the way Harry had blushed deeply, but she knew in her heart that they had plenty of time ahead of them now to progress their relationship, and Harry reminded himself that she was still fifteen. “I’m sixteen in three weeks.” she had pleasure in reminding him. Since the battle at Hogwarts it was the first night that either of them managed to receive a full night’s sleep, even though it didn’t linger upon them until 3am. Holding the letter in his hand Harry opened it slowly, and Luna took the kind hint and proceeded to get up from the bed and excuse herself to the bathroom. Harry recognised the untidy scrawl on the parchment and reluctantly he tore the wax seal crest and started to read. Dearest Harry I know recent weeks have been very difficult for you and for that I send my condolences. Severus and Kingsley were honourable members of the Order of the Phoenix as well as very good friends and they will always be missed and honoured appropriately at Hogwarts and in our hearts. The reason I am writing to you Harry is because I would like you to come to my office this afternoon at 4 o’clock as I think it is about time we ran through some details. I’m sure you will also be wanting a full explanation as to why I didn’t intervene in the very last seconds. For that I understand you are upset and angry about my decision and I feel the need to explain. Rest assured that there are many objects in my office that are suitable for throwing, I daresay that I have accumulated a few more since our previous one to one discussion. Looking forward to your visit. Professor Albus Dumbledore Harry threw the parchment down on his bed and cursed under his breath. He did feel angry at Dumbledore, because in his opinion, Dumbledore could have done more, maybe even prevented Severus’ death, but deep down he was quite intrigued as to what Dumbledore wanted to explain. Harry threw his sweatshirt over his head and proceeded to the door when he brusquely walked into Molly Weasley, who upon noticing him up and dressed beamed him a wide welcoming smile. “Harry dear, I’m pleased you are up, you look better. Look, I’ve made you some breakfast, but I was hoping you would eat it downstairs with the rest of us. You have been hiding away and we feel it is doing you no favours Harry.” concern clouding her face as she took in Harry’s appearance once more. “You’re right Mrs Weasley, it’s about time I showed my face around here.” Molly smiled and patted Harry on the shoulder before turning to walk away. “Molly.” called Harry. He realised that he had called her by her first name but decided against correcting himself. She turned around and faced him once more, her expression holding mild surprise. “Thank you for everything.” He said, while walking towards her and giving her a warm hug. Molly stifled a sniffle and replied. “You’re welcome Harry, now come along, you must get your strength up if you are to visit Professor Dumbledore today. “How do you know about that?” questioned Harry. “Why do you have to ask so many questions?” Harry smiled. “I’m the inquisitive Potter boy, didn’t you know?” Molly laughed. “I’ll see you downstairs.” She then made her way back into the kitchen with a warm smile of relief. “Harry’s back.” whispered Molly to the congregated family and friends sitting around the table. Hermione smiled at Molly’s words, as it had been hard for her and Ron to get Harry to talk since the battle at Hogwarts and she felt a small lump form in her throat, but one of happiness and she was actually feeling excited that he was to come down those stairs and face them all for the first time since the day of the funerals. Ron’s reply however was simply. “About bloody time!” It only took Harry twenty minutes to descend the staircase and join his friends for Breakfast. At first everyone just said hello and then after a few moments decided to talk about anything that didn’t revolve around Hogwarts, Severus or Kingsley. Ron struck up a conversation about the Quidditch championship and how he still hoped that the Chudley Cannons would one day win the cup. Fred and George marvelled about their new product that made the willing victim see in the dark, but they still had a few technical problems and Lee Jordan had to be rushed to St. Mungo’s where they had to fix his large bulging eyes, and who has now received the nickname Bog-Eyes from both Fred and George. “That’s not funny! The poor boy could have gone blind.” said Molly Weasley, while shaking her head in disbelief. “Well he didn’t, thankfully. But my god it was bloody funny.” replied Fred. “He looked like a frog.” said George. Harry sat there and joined in as much as possible, and it was obvious to them all that he was making a big effort. After breakfast, Harry, Ron, Luna and Hermione made their way upstairs towards the study in which they used to hang out sometimes and do their homework. “Where’s Ginny?” asked Harry, realising that she had not been present at Breakfast. “She is visiting Neville. She wanted to stay with him for a while.” replied Ron. “It scared her, nearly losing him like that.” Ron immediately put his head down, he didn’t want to mention anything that happened at Hogwarts, and immediately tried to withdraw his statement. “Oh, but he’s fine, we all are.” He said as his ears prickled red. Harry smiled upon noticing Ron’s failed attempt. “It’s alright Ron, we have to discuss what happened eventually – I’m sorry that I’ve been, well…. A bit out of the loop the last couple of weeks, I just had to think things through.” “You don’t have to explain, Harry.” said Hermione, while putting a soft hand on his back. “It was harder on you than any of us.” Harry was about to argue when Luna caught his eye and shook her head in a way to deter him. After all, what was the point in arguing now – Luna was right. It is over. All four of them spent some quality time together, Harry still deterred from mentioning what happened at Hogwarts and it made a nice change to think and audibly talk about other things. Hermione started to tell them that she had been accepted as a spokesperson for the House Elves. This upset a few of the house elves immensely but Dobby was all for Elf rights and even sent her a sock that he had knitted himself as a way to say thank you for her hard work. “How did you manage that” asked Luna incredulously. “The elves don’t want freeing, they are happy in their calling.” “Dobby wasn’t, and if one was able to speak out and tell of the turmoil in which they were subjected to, then there will be others and Professor Dumbledore feels the same, so I got my Hogwarts spokesperson badge today by owl – look, it’s purple. “I wonder who chose that colour.” said Harry with a smile. “Umm, yeah – I wonder…..” mocked Ron with a wink. As they sat there and talked the day away, Harry was actually upset that 4 o’clock was looming as he didn’t want to leave, but knew he had to – Afterall he thought, the sooner I get this over with, the better! |
“Let me know what he says.” said Luna as she kissed Harry gently on the lips. “Will you be here when I get back?” he asked her, his eyes glistening. “Yes, I’m not leaving to go back home until later on this evening.” “Good.” Harry smiled as he pulled her into a gentle hold, and kissed her on the cheek and whispered. “I’ll see you later.” He entered the fireplace with his floo powder in grasp, and said clearly. “Headmasters Office – Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.” The whirling sensation always made Harry feel ill, he hated it every time and forgot how pain enduring it was to his sensitive stomach. As the grates passed one by one, Harry closed his eyes and prayed it would end soon. “Bloody floo travel.” He mumbled while willing himself not to be sick all over his trousers. Suddenly he hit the deck with a smack, and moaned as he scrambled out of the fire, falling face down on the familiar red carpet that graced Albus Dumbledore’s office. “HARRY.” Shrieked a voice, but one that he did not recognise as belonging to the headmaster. He smiled. “Karis.” She threw her arms around him and held him tight. “Karis, it would be nice to breathe.” She giggled. “Sorry. It’s just, I haven’t seen you for over two weeks – how are you coping?” Harry wanted to say terribly, but he delved into her dark eyes and he felt that he had no right to feel self-pity anymore, if anyone should be in a bad way it should be Karis – afterall, Severus was practically family to her and she seemed to be coping, but then Karis seemed to be a lot of things. Suddenly Harry remembered the conversation he held with his Mother in Karis’ artefact chamber, and how she had told him that Karis hides her many fears and feelings, she is strong, and yet weak. Harry believed that they should have been blood related – they were both alike in so many ways. “Thank you for what you did, Karis. You and Severus made it happen, if it wasn’t for you both, I….” “Shhhh.” whispered Karis as she held her finger to his lips. “We did what we had to do – we did it for the calling of the Order, we did it for Love Harry, you don’t need to thank me or anyone else because we all worked as a team.” Harry started to feel his eyes well up – she made everything sound so simple. Maybe it was? “Welcome Harry, please sit down.” said Dumbledore, hoping to break the emotional hush that was so obviously uncomfortable for them both. Harry immediately got his act together and felt himself stiffen. “I’d rather stand, Professor”. “Very well, but you might prefer to sit down Harry, you seem to look rather pale.” “Bloody floo travel,” blurted out Harry before engaging his brain. Karis let out a small laugh. “I don’t like it either – once I learnt to apparate, I promised myself never to floo again.” Harry did as he was told, he didn’t want to play smart at the moment, not in-front of Karis, he owed her more than that. So he played the good boy, and sat down opposite Albus Dumbledore, while Karis took the seat beside him. Dumbledore nodded and whispered his approval “Very good.” “Now sir, can you please tell me what it is you wish to discuss?” asked Harry. Karis tensed beside him, Harry noticed out the corner of his eye, as she grasped her hands together and took a deep breath. Dumbledore eyed her carefully and sent her a small reassuring smile. “I think it’s time Harry that we discussed everything that happened, and why, there are things that you still do not know and Karis and I believe that you should.” “What things?” asked Harry with a frown, as he turned to look at Karis too, unaware that she had been keeping secrets from him. “Now it is time Harry, for you to know everything.” “I’ve heard that from you before, Professor – if it wasn’t for the fact that Karis was in this room I would say this was a severe case of de ja vu.” “Harry!” warned Karis. “Sorry.” He mumbled. “Do you want to start or shall I?” asked Dumbledore, looking at his Grand Daughter. “You can, I’ll just intervene at the Tonks scenario.” “Tonks!” Exclaimed Harry. “Where is she, what about Tonks? Oh my god is she alright?” he asked in panic. “Harry, I suggest you listen to what we have to tell you, but I warn you now, you may find some of it a little bit of a shock.” Harry felt his hands wring with anger as he listened to Albus’ accounts of what happened beforehand at Malfoy Manor, and how Tonks had betrayed them all and nearly got Karis killed by Bellatrix Lestrange before being taken and bound as a prisoner in Lucius’ bedroom. Karis then went onto explain how Severus had guessed of her betrayal and managed to escape Voldemort unharmed in order to rescue her and apparate from the roof of the manor, to Hogsmede. “I can’t believe it,” said Harry, almost inaudibly, as his clenched fists turned white. “Why Karis? How could she do something like this?” He nearly choked on his words as he noticed that Karis had a few tears trickle softly down her face. “Voldemort is a very persuasive wizard, Harry. And he praised her highly, accepting her half muggle bloodline due to her incredible gift of metamorphagy. Being able to change into any person or animal that would help him spy on the Order was a great asset to him and he respected her highly.” “How much do you think Voldemort knew?” asked Harry. “Almost everything.” replied Albus as he massaged his temples with outstretched fingers. Harry frowned, “What do you mean, almost?” Albus stood up and started to pace behind his desk, going from one end to the other in silence. Harry and Karis shared a worried look before pressing him further. “What did he not know is what we should be asking you Grandfather?” Albus expressed a small twitching to the mouth and Harry thought for a second he may actually smile. “Indeed - that is the correct question, Karis.” replied Albus before continuing. “Voldemort did not know of the prophecy but I do believe that if he had heard it he still wouldn’t have understood what it meant. I feel that the part of the prophecy where, you Harry, would have a power that he would know not was indeed the potion. You and your friends thought things through when you decided to make that vanquishing concoction because it was definitely something he missed.” “It’s amazing isn’t it – after all his power, that he wouldn’t have thought of a simple vanquishing potion.” replied Karis, her eyes wide which danced with glimmering light that sprayed in from the large square window. Harry nodded. “It wasn’t even my idea Professor. Hermione and Luna worked it out between them and it also derived from something that Professor Snape taught us in class only a couple of months ago. Ron also thought it was a good idea due to Voldemort being known for his impeccable wand magic, but I knew the priori incantatem would be a problem, but the downfall of the potion is that it would…. “Only work if the victim was unarmed.” said Karis with a smile, finishing off Harry’s speech. “Exactly!” replied Harry with a glint in his eye. “It amazes me how two sixteen year old girls, one ironically a mugblood - would play a vital part in the downfall of one of the darkest wizards of all time.” said Karis in an almost disbelieving tone. “Amazing!” repeated Albus Dumbledore while continuing to pace. Harry sat there and for the first time in a while he recounted the prophecy in his mind. `The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies, and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives .The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies.’ And finally he realised what it meant. The teamwork that derived originally from friendship and a shared idea of learning how to protect oneself made for an amazing battle between good and evil. It’s also when Harry realised that he was foolish to act the way he has been for two weeks, this wasn’t about just him and his feelings, because if truth be known, it was Ron, Hermione, Luna, Severus and Karis that saved him from Voldemort and a vanquishing potion that was mastered by Hermione and Luna. Harry at the end of the day only threw it. Harry stood up from his chair. “That prophecy was not just aimed at me and Voldemort. The Power the Dark Lord knows not, is not me, it was never supposed to be!” “What are you saying Harry?” asked Karis. “It was always about the uniting of Dumbledore’s Army, the three houses! That power is unprecedented, believe me!” Karis nodded “With a little help from me and a few friends of course!” Albus chuckled. “Yes well, I daresay it wasn’t the easiest battle I’ve fought, but the prophecy was highly misleading and yet correct, it just shows you Harry, that things happen for a reason,” advised the old man, “What’s happened to Tonks?” asked Harry, as his mind slipped back to the woman who betrayed them – the only person who Sirius trusted out of anyone else in his family and whom still turned out to be in alliance with the Deatheaters. He felt his shackles rise again and had a sudden urge to hit something. Instead he decided to pace towards the window and look out into the brightly sunlit grounds. “Her memory has been wiped…..” started Albus. Harry turned around on his heel, his face suddenly burning puce. “WHAT?” he bellowed. “HER MEMORY WIPED – IS THAT ALL? AFTER WHAT SHE DID! SHE… THAT CALLOUS, BETRAYING…..” “And her magical powers extinguished.” This silenced Harry for a few moments. “So what of it?” he spat with a hint of vehemence. Karis stood up and walked towards the window and put her hand on his shoulder. “Harry.” She started. “Nymphadora Tonks has had her memory wiped and her magical abilities taken away from her by the highest powers at the Order of Merlin. She has been put in a hospital for the mentally ill for the time being until she is stable enough to rebuild a new life for herself.” Harry scoffed sarcastically. “Right – she has been given the chance to start a new life with a new name, that isn’t a punishment for what she did!” “Is it not a punishment in your eyes, Harry?” she asked with a raised frown. “Having no one at all, no name, no family, no idea of who you are and then being thrown out into the big muggle world with no idea of how to survive. She is fully human now, a muggle who will have to try and rebuild a life from nothing. She is alone and suffering and not understanding why. Now tell me Harry, is that not punishment? Remember, there are worse things then death and in my own personal opinion that is one of them.” Karis then turned around and retook her seat opposite her Grandfather. Silence gathered the room like newly lain dust and it choked Harry to the point of admitting his own petulance and agreed that Karis was right. And as by doing so, a sudden round of applause was heard to echo throughout the headmasters office, as the generally sleeping portraits had suddenly and most mysteriously, come to life. “Oh shut up, all of you.” retorted Harry with a frown which unmistakeably turned into a small upward smile. |
Part 3 Harry kissed Karis goodbye on the cheek and shook Albus Dumbledore’s hand, and as he turned back towards the grand fireplace which forever sat in the headmaster’s office, Harry turned around to face them both one more time before his departure back to Grimmauld Place. “I forgot to thank you, Karis.” Karis threw him a wry frown “For what, Harry?” “For putting up with a brat like me for the past year, and for teaching me the art of Telepathy. I never did thank you for that, but I do appreciate what you have done for me.” Karis beamed him a large smile. “You’re very welcome Harry, it was a pleasure.” “Liar.” mocked Harry. “Well, there were some moments when I could have strung you up by your ears, I admit, but you did well, we got there in the end. Just keep up the practicing in your spare time. And remember!” she stated with a pointed finger. “I’ll be listening.” Harry laughed. “Well on that note, I’m off.” As Harry caught Albus Dumbledore’s eye, he noticed that the sparkle that inhabited those ocean blue eyes had waned over the last few months, but had miraculously reinstated their position immediately and with full velocity. Harry and Albus didn’t need to share words; a knowing look and a kind smile said it all. Harry entered the fireplace and mumbled. “This is the last time I’m doing this.” Then grabbing his floo powder with a sigh, he repeated clearly. “12 Grimmauld Place.” And with a sudden flash of green fire, He was gone. - Harry landed in the kitchen of Grimmauld place with a heavy thud followed by a nausea wave which leapt him in heaps and bounds towards the kitchen sink. Grabbing desperately for a glass of water in an attempt to ward it off, but it was too late, and the actions of the last year came swelling into his throat like a tidal wave; that of emotion along with the realisation that he had just exited the end of an era – it was true, Voldemort was finally no more and the prophecy was fulfilled. As he reached into the sink, Remus Lupin came hurrying into the kitchen to find Harry in an unsettling position. Immediately Remus blamed the talk with Albus as the reason for this unruly aftermath and he approached his godson slowly and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. After a few moments Harry settled down and took in some deep breaths, Remus helped him gently over to a chair at the dining table. “Are you alright Harry?” asked an unnerved Remus, as he stared with concern into the familiar green eyes that were now glassy with the effects of the sickness. “I hate floo travel, I’m never doing it again.” He grumbled. “I swear; I’d rather ride the knight bus than suffer the absolute horror of spinning in-between grates and rickety old fireplaces.” Remus sighed a sign of relief. “Thank heavens, I thought it was because of the talk with Albus that made you this way.” Harry looked up at Remus, noticing for the first time that he was actually there with him. “Remus, you’re alright.” exclaimed Harry with delight. “Where have you been?” “I’m sorry Harry, I had to lay low for a little while.” replied Remus. “But… why?” asked Harry, confusion settling into his brow. Remus couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle. “Well, it took a little while for me to revert back to my good ole self Harry. The werewolf let me take over, I finally had the upper hand for the first time in my life, but unfortunately once I had it, I didn’t know how to get rid of it – so I was a werewolf for 1 week and 6 days.” “No way!” said a surprised Harry. “How did you revert back?” I meditated, along with Karis sending me a potion that she thought might help. She had to raid Severus’ books, it took her a week and then another 6 days to brew the blasted thing.” Harry put his head down at the mention of Severus’ name. Remus noticed and replaced his hand on Harry’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I missed the funeral, I wanted to be there.” Harry gave a reassuring smile to his friend. “It’s alright, I understand.” “Would you like to go for a walk Harry?” asked Remus sincerely. “Sure, why not. I can’t be long though, I want to spend some time with Luna before she goes home.” Remus beamed a wide smile. “Well, we can’t have you not spending time with the love of your life now can we.” Harry looked away as he felt his cheeks start to burn. Remus gently punched Harry on the arm, “I’m kidding Harry.” “Oh.” replied Harry coyly. “Actually, I take it back, I did mean it.” teased Remus, before continuing, “Get your coat Harry, it’s rather cold out there.” - Harry shivered as the cold air hit him with force as he stepped out in the dark street, wrapping his Gryffindor scarf around his neck in a desperate attempt to trap in some heat from the old house that he had just left behind. Remus however didn’t seem bothered by it, and Harry looked down and noticed that Remus’ hands seemed older, more wrinkled and as Harry eyed his friend, he noticed for the first time upon his arrival how frail he was in appearance. “Are you alright, Remus?” asked Harry, hoping silently for reassurance that his thoughts were one of ridicule and that Remus was healthy and full with endurance. “Yes Harry, don’t you worry about me, I am fine, just a little tired that’s all. Besides, this is not why I asked you out for a walk, we are not here to talk about my wellbeing.” replied Remus with a small nod but a warm expression. Harry suddenly felt the familiar feeling of unease grip his insides once more. “What do you want to discuss with me?” asked Harry, with fake enthusiasm which suddenly seemed ridiculous even to his own ears. Remus smiled, but it was only brief as his face took on a more serious approach. “Harry, I just want you to keep an eye out and watch your back. I have a feeling that this isn’t over yet.” Normally, Harry would have heard alarm bells ringing and automatically feel on guard and perturbed, but for some reason he didn’t, it’s as if he had been expecting something like this to be said. It actually made a nice change. Everyone had been so dedicated in getting Harry to talk and feel better about the new situation that for the first time it took somebody else to not say congratulations, to not give him words of bravery but to give him words of what he always seemed to expect from the age of eleven – words of anguish and warning. Harry simply muttered solemnly, “I know.” Silence surrounded them for a few moments as they carried on walking down the dimly lit street, with it’s old dilapidated houses, and tall lamp posts, Harry thought how horrible this street was, he never took much notice before as there was always so much going on, but now he could open his eyes and see things, and he let out a small chuckle. “What’s so amusing?” asked Remus with a quizzical look. “Well…. it’s just occurred to me that this is the first time since I can remember that I’ve been allowed to take a stroll in the dark - quite pathetic really when you consider I’m sixteen.” Remus laughed quietly, “Don’t take it for granted Harry, and promise me you won’t make a habit of it.” “I’ll try oh noble one!” mocked Harry. “You’re not too old for me to ground you, you know!” replied Remus “I’d like to see you try it old man!” “Is that a dare? A brave move, daring an old Marauder Harry!” chuckled Remus. Harry pretended to gulp very loud and the tone of light-heartedness filled Harry and Remus both with a feeling of belong, something that they both hadn’t felt for a very long time. After 30 minutes, they made their way back to Grimmauld place, after talking excessively about Hogwarts and the start of term which would be approaching soon, Harry and Remus both wondered what changes would be made – if any. As the old Black house came into view, Harry stumbled in step slightly, holding back from moving onto its perimeter, he then finally asked the question that had been on his mind for sometime, and Remus just seemed to know instinctively what that question was. “How long Remus do you think it will take for the survivors to regroup and form an alliance?” Remus took a deep breath before replying, “I don’t know Harry, they may never reform and take revenge, but only time will tell, and you must be ready for that - you and Dumbledore’s Army!” “I don’t think I’ll ever really be ready to fight more battles, fight more wars, but I do believe we can do it.” Remus and Harry both shared a mutual smile, and as Remus put his arm on Harry’s shoulder and patted him with a motion of love. Harry suddenly had a feeling fill him up inside and it made his his throat swell with emotion; So that’s what it feel like to have a Dad. |
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